Due to the strategic location of Calshot Castle, it was kept fully operational and an artillery garrison was stationed there right up to the 20th century

Calshot Castle has stood guard to the approach to Southampton Waters since 1540 when it was built by Henry VII as part of his coastal defences along the south coast of England at a time when invasion by France and Spain was looming.

In conjunction with the castles at Netley and St Andrew's on Hamble Common, Calshot formed the main defences to the City of Southampton which during the 15th and 16th centuries was the third largest port in England.

Calshot Castle was severely damaged by fire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I with a total of 127 oak trees needed to help facilitate the repairs. In 1585, a permanent artillery garrison of 8 personnel were stationed at the castle and by1588; the repairs were completed in time for the imposing threat of the Spanish Armada.

Due to its strategic location, the castle was kept fully operational and an artillery garrison stationed there right up to the midle of the 20th century. Although Calshot castle was deemed an isolated outpost for the garrison’s crew and their families, the surrounding beaches and inlets were an ideal place for smugglers to land their small ships.

Soon after construction of the castle had finished, James Parkinson who was Captain of Calshot began a period of terror. Parkinson and his band of subordinates would not allow ships to proceed past the castle to Southampton unless they were paid part of the cargo as a 'toll'.

In 1642, Captain Swanley a Parliamentarian gunboat commander was able to nullify the cannon of Calshot castle, Netley and St Andrew's and began a blockaded of the city until its people pledged their support in favour of the parliamentarians. This did not take long and the blockade was lifted allowing stores, money and ammunition to once again flow into the city.

Even with a permanent garrison stationed at Calshot castle, smuggling became a cottage industry. It became so profuse that one local township was nicknamed 'Lazy Town' due to the men never seeming to work. The Customs Officials at Hythe were given the task of stamping out the smuggling but their efforts were in vane. They were simple being overwhelmed by the organisational dexterity and resourcefulness of these men.

Calshot castle continued to be an important part of the area’s history, playing a vital part in the safe guarding of the English coastline during both WWI and WWII. During the intervening war years, the castle was also closely associated with the Schneider Trophy air races, the competing seaplanes taking off and landing in front of it. A famous name that was associated with these races was an Aircraftsman Shaw, who was better known to many as Colonel TE Lawrence of Arabia who died tragically in a motorcycle accident in May 1935 near his home in Dorset

Tourist Information

  

Home Page

English Castles

Back to Top of Calshot Castle