News

Take a walk back in time on a stroll on the Hampshire coast to the fortified Hurst Castle, conceived by Henry VIII to protect England from the French, a travel writer has said.

Used to protect the western entrance to the Solent, the castle was employed until 1957 by the British Army, wrote Agnes Poirier for the Guardian Travel's Go Walk series.

The walk to Henry's sea fort is rated "easy" by the newspaper and covers a distance of seven kilometres around Keyhaven.

"Walking back in time, I leave Victoria's age for Henry's world. Hurst's Tudor tower, circular within, is a beauty," said Ms Poirier.

She adds that it was used as a site to imprison Charles I in 1648 before he was executed during the English Civil War.

The walk starts out on the shingle of Keyhaven, but during the summer, ramblers can take the ferry back to the start once they reach the castle.

For those looking for a place to recover after the walk, the Gun Inn offers some 240 malt whiskies, added the newspaper.

Women taking part on the coastal walk may wish to try out the Regatta Seabreeze women's walking sandals.

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