Portchester Castle

CastleHampshireEnglish Heritage4.6(5,299 on Google)

Book tickets Website

£10.90

non-member

Free

EH members

4.6

on Google

Open

see times

Portchester Castle stands within the walls of a Roman coastal fort, with a twelfth-century Norman keep rising above Portsmouth Harbour. Much of the Roman defensive circuit survives, enclosing grassy space beside the later castle. Inside, exhibitions trace its many uses, including the experiences of prisoners during the Napoleonic wars and African-Caribbean soldiers captured on St Lucia. Climbing the keep gives a different perspective on the harbour and the surrounding coast, while an audio tour adds context to the buildings below. Reviewers repeatedly praise the views and the welcoming, knowledgeable staff. Several also warn about the narrow, steep stairs, so consider the climb before heading up. The outer bailey offers space for a picnic, and there is a walk around the outside of the walls. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout. Public parking and toilets are outside the castle; parking is charged separately.

Walking routes

Portchester Castle self-guided walk

Start at Portchester Castle car park, charged £1.10/hour 10am-6pm. Public circuit via Castle Street, Cow Lane and the sea wall; no castle ticket needed. Avoid high tide; route includes stiles beside horse fields and a shingle section.

Dog access not confirmed

Checked 2026-09-10

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Castle Keep10:00 - 17:00

Opening time details

Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October, then 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November; closed from 2 November; check the calendar for reopening. Christmas dates vary.

Last admission is normally 30 minutes before closing. Check the date-specific calendar and any notices before travelling.

EH members enter free with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits and can save up to 15%; events may differ.

Compacted paths and ramped access serve ground-floor exhibitions. The keep upper floors require steep, narrow stone and wooden stairs. Toilets are in the public car park, not inside the castle.

Parking: Council car parks outside the walls charge £1.10 per hour between 10am and 6pm; EH and NT membership do not cover parking. Blue Badge parking is free with a valid badge.

Image: Portchester Castle keep and inner bailey. Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portchester_Castle_16.jpg

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the castle visitor site.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads can walk the outer bailey and permitted castle grounds. The keep and inner castle are ticketed; the outer bailey is separately accessible.

Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed for the full council coastal circuit: the route has stiles beside horse fields and tidal shingle. Castle dog permission does not establish dog access on every section.

Leads: Keep dogs on leads in the permitted visitor areas. Keep clear of wildlife; additional livestock-specific guidance is not confirmed.

Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed: no separate seasonal dog policy was established. Follow current notices and any temporary exclusions.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome, as stated in the official facilities/access guidance.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult

£10.90

Child (5-17)

£5.40

Concession

£10.00

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)

£27.20

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)

£16.30

Pricing details

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation. Prices vary by date. EH members enter free; National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance online tickets save up to 15%; under-5s enter free. Adult walk-up range: £10.00 off-peak to £12.70 peak.

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation; prices vary by date.

Parking

Pay to park

Council car parks outside the walls charge £1.10 per hour between 10am and 6pm; EH and NT membership do not cover parking. Blue Badge parking is free with a valid badge.. Not a Trust car park, so membership does not cover it.

Parking details

Council car parks outside the walls charge £1.10 per hour between 10am and 6pm; EH and NT membership do not cover parking. Blue Badge parking is free with a valid badge.

For driving directions, use the visitor car park shown by the map pin and follow the signed pedestrian route to the entrance.

Pins

Enamel pin badges sold in the shop here, photographed by visitors.

No pin photos yet. Seen one here? Sign in to add one.

Reviews & Tips (0)

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Facilities

ParkingRefreshmentsShopPicnic areaAudio guideViewpointDogs on leads