Portchester Castle Visitor Centre

The Portchester Castle Visitor Centre is a museum located within a Roman fortress that still has intact defensive walls and Norman architectural features near Fareham. The facility houses exhibits, archaeological artifacts, and information about both the Roman and Norman periods of construction within the site.

The fortress began as a Roman naval base around 200 CE and was later converted by the Normans into a royal castle and prison. These two major building phases shaped what visitors see today and show how the purpose of the site changed over centuries.

The exhibition spaces display archaeological finds and medieval weapons that explain England's Roman and Norman military past. Visitors can see objects from both ancient and medieval periods that help tell the story of how this site was used across centuries.

The center provides tickets, information about guided tours, educational materials, restroom facilities, and a shop with historical publications. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring the full site involves walking through outdoor areas and along the fortress walls.

The center occupies space within one of Europe's most complete Roman fortress walls, which still stand remarkably high after nearly 2000 years. This unusually well-preserved condition lets visitors experience Roman military architecture in a form rarely found elsewhere.