Warblington Castle

Warblington Castle is the remains of a fortified manor house in Havant centered on an octagonal brick turret rising four stories tall. The original gatehouse, portions of the southern wall, and the moat that once surrounded the complex are still visible at the site.

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, built this fortified manor between 1515 and 1525 with grand rooms, a chapel, private quarters, and an armoury arranged around a courtyard. Parliamentary forces heavily damaged the structure in 1644 during the English Civil War because the Cotton family who owned it supported the Royalist side.

The remains show how Tudor-era families balanced defensive needs with domestic comfort in their architectural choices. The brick construction and courtyard layout reflect the way people of that period lived behind protective structures while maintaining spaces for daily life.

The ruins sit on private farmland east of Havant and can be seen from the public road alongside the property. You will need permission from the landowner before visiting since access to the site itself is restricted.

Margaret Pole who built this manor was a close confidante of King Henry VIII, and her life's story is tied to the ruins before you. The Civil War damage deliberately inflicted on the building remains visible today, serving as a tangible reminder of the conflict that tore the nation apart.