IN PERSON
Illustrated Talk
Gosport Museum & Art Gallery, Robert’s Room, Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS
‘Keys’ and ‘Trains of thought’: both are easy to lose. But to lose a whole castle? That’s a much bigger challenge… Enjoy this illustrated talk by Alex Bennett at Gosport Museum and Art Gallery.
Built as part of Henry VIII’s defence of the south coast against French invasion. Hasleworth Castle exists today as an echo of a memory, a name inherited out of context by a road and a school. An historical footnote if you will.
For the last fifty years, the official position has been that Hasleworth Castle was eradicated by later construction at Fort Blockhouse and HMS Dolphin. The only evidence for this? One man’s narrow interpretation of it being ‘upon the point of Hasil worth next Portesmouth [sic]’ [Letters and Papers of Henry VIII, vol 20 part 1 Jan-Jul 1545].
This talk will draw on a range of primary evidence from documents and early maps, blended with art and surviving Tudor artillery ‘castles’ such as Hurst, Calshot and Walmer, marinated in the local landscape, and dusted with a sprinkle of practical gardening know-how to try and answer the question: is Hasleworth Castle as lost as it seems? And could the very paper which first wrote it off as lost forever have the only known image of the castle’s remains accidentally included in its cover image…?
Duration approx. 120 mins
Event Times
- Friday 11 September 1830
Booking Details
- Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions: Please book online via the booking website, if you experience any difficulties with the booking system, please contact us.
- Booking email: bookings@gosportheritage.co.uk
- Booking opens: 22 Aug 2026 09:30 AM
- Booking closes: 09 Sep 2026 05:00 PM
Access
The venue has step-free access to this event. There is a Cafe on site, which also sells a range of unique gifts and art created by local makers. There is some on-road parking, including Blue Badge bays, in either side roads. South Street Car Park is less than 5 mins walk away (2hr stay max). Morrison’s Supermarket have parking for those SHOPPING in-store (2hr stay max) and the furthest parking from Morrison entrance door, has a walkway through to Ordnance Rd, next to GMAG. Please arrive 10 minutes before start to be comfortably seated.
Additional Information
Whilst at this venue, if you have time, consider also viewing the free displays within the Museum and Art Gallery. GMAG is run by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Organised by
Alex Bennett
Directions
At the end of pedestrianised shopping area, adjacent to Morrison’s Supermarket.