Link to the Solent Landmark home page
Coastal Landmarks 
 
TeamManley
Facts behind the fix
 

Calshot Castle 

Solent

A fine example of one of Henry VIII's Coastal Fortifications 

Facts behind the Fix Solent landmarks

   
Solent landmarks  
Calshot Landmarks 
A Quick History
Quick Firing Gun 
One of the Cannons
 

Coming soon 

  • The Seaplane station
  • Weblinks
Calshot Castle Seen from the North
Calshot Castle stands at the end of Calshot spit dominating the entrance to Southampton water. It was built in 1530 as part of Henry the VIII's plan to defend England against the threat from Catholic Europe. 
The Castle is of a design developed to counter the growing power of Cannon fire. A circular keep was built to mount guns and provide accommodation. This surrounded by lower curtain wall and moat , the wall providing mounting positions for more guns. The circular shape used was designed to deflect cannon shots and to provide a strong compact structure mounting the maximum fire power. 
Calshot castle was adapted over the centuries and was still in use in the second world war. 
Today it is owned by English Heritage and is open to the public.
Information Sources: 
Henry VIII and the development of Coastal defences :HMSO 
A history of Calshot Spit:Hampshire county Council 
Calshot Castle:English Heritage 
 
 
Some suggested TeamManley links to follow 
Southsea Castle Another of Henry VIII's castles. But with a radical design difference 
Netley Abbey:A building robbed of stone to build the castle
 
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