Calshot Castle, Calshot Spit, Calshot, Southampton, Hampshire SO4 1BR

Calshot Castle one of Henry VIII’s chain of defensive castles situated along the South coast of England. It is sited on a spit of land providing a defence.

An artillery garrison was based at the castle during Elizabeth I reign and the castle was badly damaged by fire. Repairs were made using oak trees from the nearby New Forest, and the castle was once again in operation during the Spanish Armada threat of 1588.

Calshot saw action during the civil war when its cannons were disabled during the siege of Southampton.

The first world war saw Calshot castle again being used for military service, although as just another building in a Royal Navy /RAF base.