Civilian Use
In 1960 Portsmouth city council took control of the castle and in 1967 it was opened as a museum. By 1975 the castle was able to attract 99,704 visitors over the course of a year.
Currently the castle is operated as a tourist attraction by Portsmouth City Council. The castle can also be hired as a venue for weddings and parties. The area next to the castle, known as Castle Field forms a natural amphitheater and is used for various public events including fairs, music concerts and festivals. Among other exhibits the castle houses a collection of cannon. Two of these are outside the castle, a 68-pounder and an RML 9 inch 12 ton gun. Within the castle the collection includes a 24 pounder from HMS Royal George, an RML 9 pounder 8 cwt and two hexagonally rifled Witworth 3 pounder breach loaders dating from 1876
Prior to the 2011 reopening the castle underwent an extensive cleaning carried out by Portsmouth City Council.
Read more about this topic: Southsea Castle