Opening Times
In 2011 Southsea Castle will be open as follows:
14 May - 31 October inclusive: open 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed on Mondays (except for Bank Holidays).
Closed November - 13 May inclusive.
What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?
Southsea Castle was built between 1544 and 1545 by Henry VIII as part of a system to defend the south coast against a possible French invasion and was built to defend the approaches to Portsmouth Harbour and the Royal Dockyard. The Castle was then progressively developed over 400 years to adapt to new weapons and new methods of warfare. In the 1860's, massive new gun batteries were constructed of earth on either side of the old Castle to increase its firepower. The Castle was finally withdrawn from active service in 1960.
Most of the Castle as seen today is 19th century but there are several surviving Tudor sections and features. The most exciting 19th century addition is an under-ground tunnel (Counterscarp gallery) around the moat. A range of cannons on display shows the development of artillery during the active period of the Castle's history. The displays in the Keep provide a brief introduction to the military history of Southsea Castle and the history of the defences of Portsmouth. There are sections on the Tudor period (Henry VIII), including a reconstruction of a Tudor gunport scene, eighteenth century and the Victorian period. An audio-visual show (in English) on the Castle's history is available in the western Galleries.
What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?
Length of Stay and Group Sizes
The typical visit time by a group is 1 - 1½ hours. The recommended maximum number arriving at any one time should not exceed 60 pupils. Lunch facilities are not available on site. A teacher/pupil ratio of at least 1:12 is essential. (When school groups are in the museum, the behaviour of the children or students is the responsibility of the teacher in charge).
Contact
Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
PO5 3PA
School Group Pricing
Free admission.
Other Information
Car parking Car and coach pay and display parking is available near the museum, including in the D-Day Museum car park, and on Clarence Esplanade and the Avenue de Caen. To find out about current car parking charges in Portsmouth, please click here. Prices and availability of parking spaces may vary between different locations. Travelling by public transport Southsea Castle is roughly the same distance from both Portsmouth Harbour, and Portsmouth & Southsea train stations. There are taxi ranks at both stations, or else you can catch the No.700 bus from Portsmouth Harbour station, or the No.19 bus from near Portsmouth & Southsea station. To find out more about bus routes in Portsmouth, click here.