| Free entry | Parking nearby (fee applies) | Seafront location | Close to Castle Field | Close to Southsea Bandstand |
Overlooking the Solent and a short walk from The D-Day Story, Southsea Castle is one of Henry VIII’s most impressive defensive structures. Although most of the existing building dates back to the 19th Century, there are several surviving Tudor sections and features. Built to protect Portsmouth against possible French invasion and close to where The Mary Rose sank, Southsea Castle provides a great way to bring local and British history to life. Whatever the focus for your visit and however long you stay, we look forward to welcoming you and your pupils soon.
| There’s so much to learn about: Castles, ships and cannon design Defence and war Old Portsmouth: The chain boom Panoramic views from the battlements Southsea Castle over the centuries The Battle of the Solent (Cowdray Engraving) The Castle Keep (once a military prison) The explosion of 1759 The loss of the Mary Rose The moat and lighthouse The rum ration The suburb of Southsea Tudor costume Tudor gunport reconstruction | With great links to KS1 and KS2: British and local history Castles and forts Clothes and fabrics Creative writing Design and technology Drama and role play Henry VIII Inventions and innovation Lighthouses Portsmouth Harbour Portsmouth past and present Ships and the sea STEM The Mary Rose War and peace |
With group visit times around 1 hour, why not combine your outing to Southsea Castle with:
- A trip to the internationally recognised museum, The D-Day Story (fee applies).
- A walk along Southsea Seafront with its historic defences, famous harbour and tourist attractions.
- A picnic on Castle Field or a visit to one of our other great museums nearby (free).
Click the boxes below for further information:
