Free entry to Southsea Castle

18th May 2011

Southsea Castle, Henry VIII's seaside fortification, is now free of charge to all visitors and is home to a new café which exposes previously unseen Tudor walls.

The contemporary 60 seat café boasts a daily menu of delights including home-made soup, cheese and chorizo omelettes and cream teas with raspberry scones. The Castle is open until the end of October, Tuesday - Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays and has a string of special events lined up for the summer.

Funded by the Healthy Towns initiative, the Yellow Kite Café is a social enterprise, not for profit company, aimed at providing great food and good value for local communities.

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Culture said: "I'm delighted at this new venture with social enterprise company, Yellow Kite, which means visitors will no longer be charged to look around Southsea Castle.

"The new addition of a café within the walls of the castle is a real treat and another excuse to pay a visit. I'm sure Henry VIII himself would be delighted with all attention being paid to his historic legacies, such as the impressive development of the Mary Rose museum, and now the café at this much loved castle.

"The free entry is small token for our residents especially, and we hope many people take the opportunity to visit this impressive landmark, and of course try the refreshments at the new café."

More information about Southsea Castle