Artillery fort

Southsea Castle

Gosport, Hampshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • No car park on site
  • Local council
Southsea Castle: Photo of southsea castle taken while standing on the eastern of the wing bastions
Photo: Geni · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Southsea Castle is an artillery fort near Gosport, Hampshire, managed by Local council. Dogs are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is no car park on site.

Southsea Castle opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 Not listed
  2. Tue 13 Not listed
  3. Wed 14 10:0017:00
  4. Today Thu 15 10:0017:00
  5. Fri 16 10:0017:00
  6. Sat 17 Closed
  7. Sun 18 Closed
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Summer season (remainder) 14 Oct to 31 Oct
Tue to Sun
10:00 to 17:00
 16:30
Winter season: keep and ramparts closed (courtyard/café open) 1 Nov to 31 Mar Closed Closed n/a

Closed on 17 Oct, 18 Oct.

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Southsea Castle and parking

Plan your route

These open in your own maps app. Nothing is sent from this page until you choose one.

Directions to Southsea Castle View on a map
Parking
No car park on site. No designated car park; paid spaces on Clarence Esplanade; D-Day Story car park ~60 m (cost not stated separately); disabled parking at D-Day Story car park About 60 m to the entrance. Portsmouth Park and Ride (PR1)
By train
Southsea Hoverport is 0.7 miles away.
Public transport
Palmerston Road stops (First 3, 18; Stagecoach 23), 0.5 mile walk. Access page instead names Southsea Shops stop on Clarence Parade, ~700 m.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Non-assistance dogs allowed in the courtyard (water bowls) but not in the keep or on the ramparts.

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Cobbled courtyard via bridge over moat; keep and ramparts by stairs only; tunnels with steps, low ceilings, wet floors
  • Accessible toilet: yes.
  • Changing Places toilet: no.
Full access statement

Food and facilities

  • Toilets Yes
  • Café Yes
  • Shop Yes
  • Baby changing Yes

What to see at Southsea Castle

  • 01

    Keep

    The main fortified tower of the castle.

  • 02

    Moat

    A ditch, wet or dry, around the walls.

  • 03

    Exhibition

    Displays and exhibitions to see.

  • 04

    Views

    Notable views from the site.

History of Southsea Castle

  1. 1544 Built in haste for Henry VIII against French attack
  2. 1545 Henry VIII at the castle for the Battle of the Solent; Mary Rose sinks
  3. 1627 Keep gutted by fire
  4. 1642 Surrenders to Parliamentarian force at outset of Civil War
  5. 1759 Accidental explosion kills seventeen people
  6. 1814 Completely renovated for extra guns and larger garrison
  7. 1960 Withdrawn from active service and bought by Portsmouth City Council

Photos

Castles near Southsea Castle

All 5 castles in Hampshire

FAQs

Is there a café at Southsea Castle?

Yes, there is a café on site.

When is Southsea Castle open?

In the summer season (remainder) season it opens Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Check the opening times above for the other seasons and closed dates.

Where do you park at Southsea Castle?

There is no car park on site. Portsmouth Park and Ride (PR1).

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on southseacastle.co.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. Page on southseacastle.co.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  3. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  4. Page on southseacastle.co.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  5. Page on southseacastle.co.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

We are independent and not affiliated with Local council. Prices and times can change at short notice, so check the operator's site on the day. How we check our data