Portchester Castle - 2000 Years of History

A disc brooch from the exhibition Discover the intriguing history of a castle that has defended Portsmouth Harbour, the Isle of Wight and the Channel since Roman times.

Opening in April, a re-presented exhibition of around 200 finds excavated from the site puts items including a Saxon spouted jug and a 5th to 6th-century woman’s brooch on public display for the first time.

Other new displays include a four-phase tactile model of the site showing visitors what the castle looked like during Roman, post-Conquest and medieval times and during the early 19th century when it was used as a prison camp. Colourful panelled exhibits describe the history of the site and include drawings and photographs of the excavations undertaken during the 1960s and 1970s when the Roman, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval finds were made. There is also a flip book showing how archaeologists use finds to help piece together the past.

A purse mount from the Portchester Castle exhibition The finds, many of which have been conserved or restored are now on show in four display cases. They include a conserved Roman ladies’ shoe and several bronze objects.

Housed in the keep, the exhibition includes a storybox and handling collection aimed at children and families.

For further information, call Portchester Castle on 02392 378291.