Hurst Spit and castle

Hurst Spit was formed over thousands of years by the movement of eroded sand and shingle from the coast between Christchurch and Milford-on-Sea. It is a large gravel bank that plays a very important role: protecting the New Forest coast from severe waves, south westerly storms and potential flooding. This natural protection feature is reinforced by Hurst Castle built in 1540 and garrisoned from Tudor times until 1956. The castle is an impressive building which dominates the narrow waterway between the end of Hurst Spit and the Isle of Wight.