A few weeks ago we spent a few days exploring Gosport, on the south coast of Hampshire. I wanted to re-visit Porchester Castle and take the kids there so they could experience the amazing medieval fortress overlooking Portsmouth Harbour. Luckily we picked a sunny day which was just perfect for exploring Porchester Castle with kids.

Exploring Porchester Castle with kids

This site overlooking Portsmouth harbour has been a Roman fortress, a Norman stronghold and a prisoner of war camp during the Napoleonic Wars. There’s a small car park opposite the castle so we parked up and first walked around the outside of the castle. The ruins are pretty impressive.

You can walk around the outside of the castle walls which have amazing views over Portsmouth Harbour. My daughter wanted to do a series of geocaches which were placed outside the walls. This was also a fun way to explore the grounds.

Then we entered the castle through a gateway into the bailey. It’s a huge site and contains the Norman Church of St Mary’s and a royal palace built for Richard II. Much of the bailey is empty which means you get to see the huge Roman walls up close.

Porchester Castle is managed by English Heritage and free to enter although there is a charge to visit the royal palace. There was a mobile coffee van as well as a small tearoom at St Mary’s Church. We opted to sit amongst the gravestones and enjoy a hot drink.

It’s a great place to explore with kids, there is plenty of open space and a tearoom too. It’s very dog-friendly so next time we visit we’ll be taking our pup too!