Spanning 2000 years of history, Portchester Castle offers great views over Portsmouth Harbour. On the front line in the Hundred Years War, Portchester Castle also boasts the finest surviving Roman walls in Northern Europe.
Calshot Castle is a device fort built by Henry VIII as part of his chain of defences of the Solent. Following his excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church, England was politically isolated and extensive fortifications were built in expectation of invasion from across the Channel.
A 16th century structure, Southsea Castle was built by Henry VIII to protect Portsmouth and a foreign invasion in an age of artillery warfare. Your tour includes a 19th century tunnel unusually conducted by a ghost!
A year after the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror built a castle at Winchester to protect the the government's seat and the most important stronghold at the time. Originally built in 1067, Winchester Castle defended the south west corner of the Roman town walls which surrounded Winchester.
The bishop's palace was developed in Winchester in the 10th century. Before this the bishops had lived as part of the Winchester community of monks who ran the Winchester Cathedral Church. However, the increasingly public role of the bishop made it necessary for him to have his apartments outside the monastery.
Hampshire Photos
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