Winter at Hurst Castle

Maintaining Hurst Castle is, as you may imagine, quite a complex and ongoing job.  Being at the end of end of the spit in Milford on Sea it is also not the most accessible of locations in winter.

English Heritage, who own the castle, have employed contractors to undertake some major renovations this winter.  The castle is managed by Sean, Mary & Jason of Hurst Castle Ferries and this winter has been a busy time for all of them and their team.

Amongst the larger jobs was making safe and rebuilding parts of the searchlight emplacement at the end of the West Wing, Re-rendering the emplacement on the South side of the West Wing, replacing the rotten timber framework that supported the steps outside the centre keep, rebuilding the chimney above the guardroom, plus some smaller jobs.  The work was awarded to Banks builders from the I.O.W. and Hurst Ferries have been employed ferrying men and materials from Yarmouth.  The main bulk of materials and scaffolding were transported down the beach by the Hurst Ferry tractor and trailer, with over 30 ton delivered so far.  The work is progressing well and will be completed by mid-March.

There was also funding for exterior painting which was undertaken by the ferry staff and will recommence as soon as the weather warms up a little.

The latest really good news is that funding has also been acquired for a new generator to replace the 40 year old Lister.  The Contract has been awarded to Hurst Castle Ferries and the work has to be completed by 31st March.  This is tight for time but they are optimistic it can be completed.  The new set is a 40kva prime power generator powered by a John Deere diesel all in an acoustic container.

Apart from the above works, the ferry team have now almost finished the winter fleet refits and are currently working ferrying men and materials to The Needles and Nab Tower lighthouses.

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Friends of Hurst 

The castle is helped on a regular basis by the Friends of Hurst Castle.  The friends were was formed in 1986 to act as a support group.  At that time the Castle was managed by English Heritage, but since May 1996 there has been joint management; with English Heritage still in charge of the fabric of the building and general policies and the Local Management, Hurst Castle Services, running the everyday management and services.

The Friends’ aim is still to support in any way they can: physically and financially with any project, enhancement of the building, to assist educationally and in any research that they can. We arrange social events and from time to time Newsletters for our Members. 

Hurst Castle Ferries offer a 10% discount to Members when buying season tickets and free passage to any Friends who are going to work at the Castle. The Friends have a workshop at the far end of the West Wing for leaving belongings, tools, artefacts, etc. and for holding meetings. There is also a BBQ facility on arrangement with the Committee. 

The friends also produce the Hurst Tidings Newsletter, where members can rRead all the latest news from the Friends of Hurst Castle.

There is also a ‘Monday Volunteer Working Party’, which is a regular group of Friends and Association of Lighthouse Keepers members who volunteer at the Castle every Monday, working on restoration projects such as the Garrison Theatre, the Egypt Point optic and the Association of Lighthouse Keepers' room.  The Friends of Hurst Castle are also currently working on the following on-going projects: Castle Gardens, Exhibitions, Painting, Workshop and Castle Guiding. 

Annual Membership is £12 for a Single member or £19 for Couples.

If you would like to join for a very enjoyable and social day at the Castle (with free ferry and tea to all volunteers!) please contact: Dinah Le May on 01590 674921 or e-mail her at:

dinahscott@fsmail.net