St Andrew's Castle, Artillery fort ruins at Hamble Common, Hampshire, England.
St Andrew's Castle is an artillery fort at Hamble Common made up of a square keep and a semi-circular gun platform. These stone structures overlooked Southampton Water near the Solent waters.
Henry VIII ordered its construction between 1542 and 1543 as part of a coastal defense program against France. It was one of several fortifications built along England's south coast during this period.
The fort functioned as a military outpost with a garrison under William Paulet's command, including a master gunner, a porter, and six soldiers. This small band of men lived here to guard the coast and watch over the waters.
The fort sits on public land and is freely accessible, so wear comfortable shoes and waterproof clothing. The ruins are in varying states of condition, so take care when exploring the old structures.
The fort had a 25-meter-wide moat and a wooden breakwater structure to defend against naval attacks. These additional defensive layers show how seriously the threat from the sea was taken at the time.
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