Southsea Castle, historically also known as Chaderton Castle, South Castle and Portsea Castle, is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island, Hampshire, in 1544. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Solent and the eastern approach to Portsmouth. The castle had a square central keep, two rectangular gun platforms to the east and west, and two angled bastions to the front and rear, and was an early English example of the trace italienne-style of fortification popular on the Continent.
Birds — Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow +73 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow +73 more · last seen 2026
Free
🦋
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Batman Hoverfly, Hornet Hoverfly, 2-spot Ladybird +19 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Batman Hoverfly, Hornet Hoverfly, 2-spot Ladybird +19 more · last seen 2026
Free
✦
Heritage
Strong match
Historic site
Free
♿
Easy access
Good match
parking, toilets
Varies
🍂
Seasonal nature
Moderate match
Plants — Eastern Rocket · last seen 2023; Plants — Eastern Rocket · last seen 2023
Free
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km
🚶
Walking
▾
10 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Pilgrims' TrailWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Solent WayWalking route▾
Named routeListed length 87kmRegional walking route
The Shipwrights WayWalking route▾
A long distance route which links villages and towns in east Hampshire. The name reflects the use of oak grown at Alice Holt Forest for Tudor shipbuilding.
Named routeRegional walking route
European walking route E9, Milford on Sea to Queen Elizabeth Country ParkWalking route▾
Named routeRef E9International walking route
European walking route E9, Isle of Wight alternativeWalking route▾
Named routeRef E9International walking route
🚴
Cycling
▾
119 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Route 222Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 222National Cycle Network
National Cycle Route 2 South Mundham to ChristchurchCycling route▾
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Route 22Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 22National Cycle Network
Route 224Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 224National Cycle Network
Portsmouth E-W routeCycling route▾
Named routeRef Portsmouth E-W routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route24 m▾
Named routeRef 224Length 24 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
