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Portchester Castle
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- Name
- Portchester Castle
- Continent
- EUROPE
- Alt Name:
- -
- Country:
- United Kingdom
- Period:
- Ancient Rome
- Sub-Region:
- -
- Date:
- 200AD - 299AD
- City/Town:
- Portchester
- Figure:
- -
- Resorts:
- Portsmouth,
- Related:
- Ludgershall Castle, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard ,
Fishbourne Roman Palace,
about Portchester Castle
Portchester Castle in Hampshire offers a fantastic insight into various periods of British history and originally dates back to the Roman era.
Built during Roman times, probably in the third century AD, Portchester Castle is the country’s only example of a Roman fort whose walls still stand complete up to around six metres.
Over the centuries, Portchester Castle has been renovated and rebuilt many times and its use has altered to suit the needs of its owners. In the eleventh century, parts of Portchester Castle were rebuilt into a Norman keep and in the fourteenth century Richard II transformed it into a palace. Like their Roman predecessor, both of these incarnations served a defensive function.
Yet, during the Napoleonic Wars, the role of Portchester Castle changed, as it became a prison for around 7,000 French prisoners of war. This change was due in large part to the reduced importance of Portchester Castle as a defensive structure following the building of the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard by King Henry VII.
Today, Portchester Castle is run by English Heritage who offer audio tours and exhibitions about the site as well as children’s activities.
Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about Portchester Castle is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or now.
contact details
Address: Portchester Castle, Castle Street, Hampshire, PO16 9QW
Phone: +44 02392 378291
useful information
Directions:
Portchester Castle is located off the A27 (off junction 11 of M27) approx. 1 mile to the south of Portchester centre. Approx. a 20 min. walk from Portchester Rail Station (National Rail).
Ticket Information:
Portchester Castle is open daily 10am-6pm (to 4pm Oct-March). Entry costs £4.50 for adults, £2.30 for children, £3.80 with concessions.
Links:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/portchester-castle/
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