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Brownsea Castle, sometimes known as Branksea Castle, was built in the mid sixteenth century as a single-story blockhouse for King Henry VIII. It was originally a square building with walls forty feet long and nine feet thick. The castle was protected by a moat on three sides and a gun platform on the fourth side facing the sea. Many of the defensive castles of the time fell into neglect during periods of calm and were reinforced during periods of threat. This castle was heavily fortified and garrisoned during the Civil War in 1647. A series of wealthy owners improved and renovated the castle so that by 1870 it was multi-storied and considered gothic in appearance. However, a fire swept through the castle in 1896. During it’s rebuilding several turrets and other features were removed. Today the castle is owned by The National Trust and is leased to the John Lewis Partnership. Unfortunately it is used privately and not open to the public. However, the impressive front view can be seen from the sea if one takes a ferry or boat from Poole Harbor. * Ref. "Castles of Dorset" by Phil Wilton | ||
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