Milford on Sea to Hurst Castle Walk

20 August 2025 - New Forest National Park, United Kingdom

Today I did a 7.82 km out and back walk from Milford on Sea to Hurst Castle.

Hurst Spit

I started by walking along Hurst Spit which is a hook-shaped pile of shingle which extends for ~2.3km into the Solent. This was quite difficult walking at times, as walking on any loose surface is.

A red boat on the sea with lighthouse far in the background — There were lots of boats as you walked up the spit. Behind this one you can see Hurst Point Lighthouse which is next to Hurst Castle.

A boat on the sea in front of the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Needles — While walking along the spit you can see the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Needles jutting out from it.

Hurst Castle

Once I got to the end of the Spit the castle came immediately into view. The original castle was completed in 1544, however, was extended in the 1850s to house larger gun batteries. During both the first and second world wat it was rearmed to defend the Solent. In 1956 it was decommissioned and is now run by English Heritage meaning you can go inside.

A round stone building with holes for anti ship and aircraft guns. — One end of Hurst Castle; On top of this part were several anti-aircraft guns during WW2.

A white lighthouse in front of the sea, with yellow flowers covering the bottom — Hurst Point Lighthouse as viewed from on top of Hurst Castle.

Hurst Spit (again) and Milton on Sea

After wondering around Hurst Castle for a couple of hours, I started to wonder back down the Hurst spit. When I got to Cut Bridge I saw an Ice Cream van, so got one and sat on the beach reading my book for several hours.

A photo of a person holding up an ice cream in front of a beach and sea — After a walk I do love an Ice Cream!

After continuing I got a very nice sausage and chips from Mister Pink's in Milford on Sea and sat and watched the sunset while I ate.

Beach huts with coloured doors in the setting sun — The beach huts in Milford on Sea were very multi-coloured which was nice in the setting sun.

A sausage in batter and chips all in a box being held in front of the sea — Chips on the beach!