Day 40. Hurst Castle. Sept 15 2001

We decided to visit Hurst Castle today. Hurst is a coastal castle built as part of Henry VII’s shore defenses and I had seen it many times from the Isle of Wight ferry. Heather and I had intended to bike there alone, but the Topps eventually joined us and made the whole day into a family holiday. I was a little worried because the only way to the castle was a two mile walk or a couple of pounds each on a ferry. Accompanying us on our trip were two children, the cousins of the child who was run over the other day. They were very sweet and, I think, somewhat apprehensive.

We ate a picnic lunch at the ferry launch, and realized that is was very far for the children to walk and, for such a large group, the ferry was too expensive. Finally we all walked to the base of the spit where Heather and I took our leave and began walking to Hurst, leaving everyone else behind to play in the rocks.

Hurst was a gray castle that I’m sure inspired many prisons. The original keep was a small rounded tower similar to Calshot, which had been gradually built upon. Calshot castle is a perfect donut of stone, sloping walls protecting a moat with a single tower in the center. Because of Hurst’s late additions it looked to us as though someone had entrapped Calshot Castle in a wall of brick or mortar. Hurst seemed almost industrial in its scale and had little domestic appeal. Only soldiers would have occupied this place, no lords or ladies here.



It was almost a history of cannonry in its emplacements from 10 pound balls to 10 180 pound cannons.

 

Such a heavily armed fortress, protecting the Solent from Henry VII to WWII and it is completely obsolete.

There was also an exhibit of the Solent fortresses, heavily armed and armored circles of cannonry that have been erected in the depths of the Solent, accessible only by boat. Rumour has it that they have been purchased as heavily isolated and easily protected homes for the super rich.

Returning along the spit we walked at the waters edge. The waves were running high in the wind and it was exhilarating to walk beside it, feeling water and salt spray over us.



We ran into Simon and Cameron coming to find us. Cameron was not enjoying the walk and having temper tantrums every five feet.

Despite the brevity of the day we returned home absolutely exhausted. Kids and fresh sea air will do that I suppose.



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