New information panels for Hurst Castle

It is one of the highest vantage points on the New Forest coast and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Hurst Castle has just had two new interpretation panels installed on its battlements setting the castle in its historical landscape and explaining the archaeological and historical significance of the New Forest coast and the Solent channel.

The panels have been funded by the New Forest Coastal Heritage Project as part of its education and outreach work.

James Brown, Maritime Archaeology Education and Outreach Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘The New Forest coast contains a wealth of history and information about our past ancestors. Hurst Castle features heavily in the defensive history of the New Forest coast.

‘Its unique location on the end of Hurst Spit and the ability to explore most of the castle will appeal to anyone with an interest in coastal archaeology. The new panels highlight just some of the vast history of the area and encourage visitors to think about how the landscape around them would change if you could rewind time.’

Fiona Wynne, Stewardship Manager at The Crown Estate added: ‘This is a great project which we are delighted to be able to contribute towards, and we hope that these panels will help visitors to understand and appreciate the importance of the area’s coastal zone.’

Nigel Burt, Community Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil’s Fawley Refinery also added: ‘The New Forest is such a diverse area and the coast is often overlooked. By being part of the Coastal Heritage Project we are promoting the coast to a whole new audience.’

Sean Crane, Custodian of Hurst Castle concluded: ‘Hurst Castle has such a vast history; it was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses and was completed in 1544, and used again in the Napoleonic war, and in World War II.

‘Since the castle opened to the public a number of exhibitions have been installed and we welcome these new information panels.’

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Notes to Photo Editor:
Unveiling the panel-Left to right: Sean Crane, Custodian of Hurst Castle, Julian Johnson, Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority, James Brown, Maritime Archaeology Education and Outreach Officer, Alison Barnes, Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park Authority, Fiona Wynne, Stewardship Manager at The Crown Estate and Nigel Burt, Community Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil’s Fawley Refinery.

Protect - Enjoy - Prosper

The National Park Authority is here to protect the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park; to help people to enjoy and understand its special qualities and to support the prosperity of local communities for a sustainable future.

Our statutory purposes are:

To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park
To promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities

We also have a duty to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park.

The New Forest National Park was created in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

1.The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate manages a highly diverse property business valued at £6.6 billion. •We pay all of our surplus revenue (profit) to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation every year: in 2009/10 this was £210.7 million. Over the past ten years The Crown Estate has paid a total of £1.9 billion to the Treasury.
The responsibilities of The Crown Estate are to maintain and enhance the value of the estate and its income over the long term and to do this having regard to good management. In summary, The Crown Estate is a successful business organisation guided by our core values – commercialism, integrity and stewardship.
The Crown Estate’s property comprises four estates: Urban, Marine, Rural and Windsor.
The Crown Estate’s marine portfolio includes around half the UK’s foreshore, tidal river beds and estuaries and almost the entire seabed out to the 12 nautical mile (nm) territorial limit around the UK.
In 1999 The Crown Estate established its Marine Stewardship programme to provide funding to support practical projects, relevant research, and other initiatives that improve the status and management of the marine estate.

Media Contact:
Karen Evans, Communications Officer, New Forest National Park Authority

Tel: 01590 646650
Email: karen.evans@newforestnpa.gov.uk