Calshot Castle, Calshot (Hampshire)

16th century artillery fort built by Henry VIII.

Summary 16th century buildings Gift shop

Introduction

This artillery fort, built by Henry VIII in the 16th century to defend the sea passage to Southampton, was recently used as a Navy and RAF base.

History to the present day

Built in 1539 by Henry VIII, Calshot Castle makes up part of a chain of defences along the English south coast, known as the Henrician Castles. At this time in the 16th century, England faced the constant threat of invasion from the powerful French or Spanish navies. 

This Castle occupies a strategically important shingle spit close to the deep water channel at the mouth of Southampton Water and for over 400 years the Castle remained a fully manned artillery base. Calshot Naval Air Station opened in 1913 and in the same year First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill took his first seaplane flight from Calshot.

During the First World War, Calshot was used as a base from which to defend the Channel and also as a training centre for pilots. Calshot hosted the Scneider Cupt Trophy Race in the 1929 and 1931, at which one of the servicemen drafted to help with event was Aircraftsman Shaw, better known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Calshot also had an important role in the Second World War and became home to the Sunderland Flying Boat. Finally, after an extensive and varied military history, RAF Calshot was closed in 1961.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Calshot Castle, Hampshire, , United Kingdom

Opening times: 1 Apr-30 Sept: 10.30am-4.30pm (every day)

Admission prices:

Adult:£2.50

Photographs copyright English Heritage Photographic Library.