Fort Victoria (Isle of Wight)
Encyclopedia
Fort Victoria was a single tier battery with defensible barracks west of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
, England
, built in the 1850s, later used as a submarine mining centre and training area for military purposes.
The larger barrack blocks were demolished in 1969, but the sea-facing casemates were not, and this is now all that remains of the Fort.
. The linear park follows the coastline, and has spectacular beaches and soft cliffs. Through the wooded upper cliff area runs the old military road to Fort Albert
. The path is now a part of the Isle of Wight coastal path
.
Fort Victoria is the Isle of Wight
's largest and most popular country park
, owned and managed by the Isle of Wight Council
, it has several attractions in the old fort buildings including a marine aquarium
, a planetarium
, a café
, the Underwater Archaeology Centre
run by Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology
, a model railroad layout
display; and the ranger base from where, in the summer months, educational visits are operated by the countryside rangers.
The Fort provides easy access to the beach, (although swimming is not advised in the fast-flowing channel) and excellent views of the Solent
, Hurst Castle
, and passing shipping.
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Yarmouth is a port and civil parish in the western part of the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of mainland England. The town is named for its location at the mouth of the small Western Yar river...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, built in the 1850s, later used as a submarine mining centre and training area for military purposes.
The larger barrack blocks were demolished in 1969, but the sea-facing casemates were not, and this is now all that remains of the Fort.
Fort Victoria Country Park
The fort can now be visited in its role as a country parkCountry park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
. The linear park follows the coastline, and has spectacular beaches and soft cliffs. Through the wooded upper cliff area runs the old military road to Fort Albert
Fort Albert
Fort Albert is a tower fort nestling under the cliffs west of Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight, England. It was also known as Cliff End Fort, named after the Northern extremity of Colwell Bay .-History:...
. The path is now a part of the Isle of Wight coastal path
Isle of Wight Coastal Path
.There are a couple of cafes on the cliff path which I believe are open in the summer months. The only public convenience on the cliff path now appears to be closed permanently ....
.
Fort Victoria is the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
's largest and most popular country park
Country park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
, owned and managed by the Isle of Wight Council
Isle of Wight Council
The Isle of Wight Council is a local council. It is a unitary authority covering the Isle of Wight, South East England. It is currently made up of 40 seats, with the Conservatives as ruling party with 24 councillors at the latest local election in June 2009....
, it has several attractions in the old fort buildings including a marine aquarium
Marine aquarium
A marine aquarium is an aquarium that keeps marine plants and animals in a contained environment. Marine aquaria are further subdivided by hobbyists into fish only , fish only with live rock , and reef aquaria. Fish only tanks often showcase large or aggressive marine fish species and generally...
, a planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
, a café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
, the Underwater Archaeology Centre
Underwater Archaeology Centre
The Underwater Archaeology Centre is a museum located in Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight, England.The museum is run by the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology and is housed in five of the fort's former casemates. Since it was opened in 1990 the museum has been used to display...
run by Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology
Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology
The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology is a charitable trust that researches and excavates maritime archaeology and heritage in Great Britain...
, a model railroad layout
Model railroad layout
In model railroading, a layout is a diorama containing scale track for operating trains. The size of a layout varies, from small shelf-top designs to ones that fill entire rooms, basements, or whole buildings....
display; and the ranger base from where, in the summer months, educational visits are operated by the countryside rangers.
The Fort provides easy access to the beach, (although swimming is not advised in the fast-flowing channel) and excellent views of the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
, Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle on the south coast of England is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts, built at the end of a long shingle barrier beach at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Southampton. Hurst Castle was sited at the narrow entrance to the Solent where the ebb and flow of the tides...
, and passing shipping.
External links
- Fort Victoria website
- Isle of Wight Council Countryside Service, including Fort Victoria pages
- Fort Victoria Marine Aquarium
- Island Planetarium
- Underwater Archaeology Centre