Palmerston Forts, Isle of Wight
Encyclopedia
The Palmerston Forts
are a group of forts and associated structures built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
. The name comes from their association with Lord Palmerston
, who was Prime Minister
at the time and promoted the idea.
The structures were built as a response to a perceived threat of a French invasion. The works were also known as Palmerston's Follies as, by the time they were completed the threat (if it had ever existed) had passed, largely due to the Franco-Prussian war
of 1870 and technological advancements leading to the guns becoming out-of-date.
As well as new structures, extensive modifications were made to existing defences.
The defences on the Isle of Wight
were built to protect the approaches to the Solent
, Southampton
and Portsmouth
. They consist of three separate groups, those at the western end of the island, those at the eastern end, and four built in the Solent
.
The information in the tables is taken from documents for each site, from the Palmerston Forts Society.
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Palmerston Forts
The Palmerston Forts are a group of forts and associated structures, around the coast of Britain.The forts were built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, following concerns about the strength of the French Navy, and...
are a group of forts and associated structures built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
In 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
. The name comes from their association with Lord Palmerston
Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, KG, GCB, PC , known popularly as Lord Palmerston, was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister in the mid-19th century...
, who was Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
at the time and promoted the idea.
The structures were built as a response to a perceived threat of a French invasion. The works were also known as Palmerston's Follies as, by the time they were completed the threat (if it had ever existed) had passed, largely due to the Franco-Prussian war
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
of 1870 and technological advancements leading to the guns becoming out-of-date.
As well as new structures, extensive modifications were made to existing defences.
The defences on 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...
were built to protect the approaches to 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...
, Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. They consist of three separate groups, those at the western end of the island, those at the eastern end, and four built in 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...
.
The information in the tables is taken from documents for each site, from the Palmerston Forts Society.
Western end
| Site name | Location | Open to the public? | Construction began | Construction ended | Cost | Grid reference | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Victoria Fort Victoria (Isle of Wight) 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.... |
Sconce Point, Yarmouth 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... |
1852 | 1855 | £40,000 | |||
| 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:... |
Cliff End, Freshwater Freshwater, Isle of Wight Freshwater is a large village and civil parish at the western end of the Isle of Wight, England. Freshwater Bay is a small cove on the south coast of the Island which also gives its name to the nearby part of Freshwater.... |
1854 | 1856 | Unknown | |||
| Freshwater Redoubt Freshwater Redoubt Freshwater Redoubt, also known as Fort Redoubt is an old Palmerston fort built in Freshwater Bay on the western end of the Isle of Wight. Construction work for the fort began in 1855 and was completed in 1856. It was finally sold in 1928 and has now been converted into a private residence.... |
Freshwater Bay Freshwater Bay Freshwater Bay can refer to:*The cove on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, England: see Freshwater, Isle of Wight*The bay in Newfoundland, Canada: see Freshwater Bay, Newfoundland*Freshwater Bay, Barbados*Freshwater Bay... |
1855 | 1856 | Unknown | |||
| The Needles Battery The Needles Battery The Needles Battery was a military Battery built on the cliff top above the Needles stacks in 1861–63 to guard the West end of the Solent. Its field of fire was from approximately West South West clockwise to Northeast and it was designed to defend against enemy ships.-Old Battery:It was... |
Alum Bay Alum Bay Alum Bay is a bay near the westernmost point of the Isle of Wight, England, within sight of the Needles. Of geological interest and a tourist attraction, the bay is noted for its multi-coloured sand cliffs.-Geology:... |
1861 | 1863 | £7,656 | |||
| Warden Point Battery Warden Point Battery Warden Point Battery is a battery on the Isle of Wight begun in 1862, that was originally armed with 7-inch and 9-inch rifled muzzle loaders on barbette mountings.... |
Warden Point, Freshwater Freshwater, Isle of Wight Freshwater is a large village and civil parish at the western end of the Isle of Wight, England. Freshwater Bay is a small cove on the south coast of the Island which also gives its name to the nearby part of Freshwater.... |
1862 | 1863 | £12,899 | |||
| Cliff End Battery Cliff End Battery Cliff End Battery is a battery located on the west coast of the Isle of Wight overlooking Fort Albert. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in 1862 and was completed by 1868 at a cost... |
Cliff End, Freshwater Freshwater, Isle of Wight Freshwater is a large village and civil parish at the western end of the Isle of Wight, England. Freshwater Bay is a small cove on the south coast of the Island which also gives its name to the nearby part of Freshwater.... |
1862 | 1868 | £32,714 | |||
| Golden Hill Fort Golden Hill Fort Golden Hill Fort was a defensible barracks built as part of the Palmerston defences by the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom to provide manpower to man the defences at the western end of the Isle of Wight, England. The Fort is a local landmark which is in a very prominent... |
Afton Down Afton Down Afton Down is a hill near the village of Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.It was the site of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, where the Guinness Book of Records estimates 600,000 to 700,000, and possibly 800,000 people, flocked to see the musical talents of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Free, The Who,... |
1863 | 1868 | £38,022 | |||
| Hatherwood Battery Hatherwood Battery Hatherwood Battery is a battery located to the east of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in 1865 and was complete by 1869... |
Alum Bay Alum Bay Alum Bay is a bay near the westernmost point of the Isle of Wight, England, within sight of the Needles. Of geological interest and a tourist attraction, the bay is noted for its multi-coloured sand cliffs.-Geology:... |
1865 | 1869 | £5,825 | |||
| The New Needles Battery The Needles Battery The Needles Battery was a military Battery built on the cliff top above the Needles stacks in 1861–63 to guard the West end of the Solent. Its field of fire was from approximately West South West clockwise to Northeast and it was designed to defend against enemy ships.-Old Battery:It was... |
Alum Bay Alum Bay Alum Bay is a bay near the westernmost point of the Isle of Wight, England, within sight of the Needles. Of geological interest and a tourist attraction, the bay is noted for its multi-coloured sand cliffs.-Geology:... |
1893 | 1895 | £9,821 | |||
| Bouldnor Battery | Bouldnor Bouldnor, Isle of Wight Bouldnor is a hamlet near Yarmouth on the west coast of the Isle of Wight in southern England. It is the location of Bouldnor Battery, a gun battery emplacement.... |
1937 | 1938 | Unknown |
Eastern end
| Site name | Location | Open to the public? | Construction began | Construction ended | Cost | Grid reference | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puckpool Battery Puckpool Battery Puckpool Battery is a battery located at Puckpool Point, close to the town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in 1863 and was completed by March... |
Puckpool Point Puckpool Puckpool is a small coastal settlement on the outskirts of Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The area is best known for Puckpool Park, a park with an 18 hole putting green, 15 hole crazy golf, two tennis courts and three bowling greens... |
1863 | 1865 | 20,864 | |||
| Nodes Point Battery Nodes Point Battery Nodes Point Battery is a battery located at Nodes Point on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began on 16 August 1901 and was completed by 20 April 1904.... |
Nodes Point | 1901 | 1904 | £21,654 | |||
| Steynewood Battery Steynewood Battery Steynewood Battery is a battery located between Bembridge and Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in 1889 and was completed by 1893.... |
Whitecliff Bay Whitecliff Bay Whitecliff Bay is a sandy bay near the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight, England about 2 miles south-west of Bembridge and just to the north of Culver Down. It is a tourist site , has a popular beach with two hundred metres of sand and shingle, and minimal facilities including 2 cafes... |
1889 | 1893 | Unknown | |||
| Culver Battery Culver Battery Culver Battery is a battery located on Culver Down on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began on 3 May 1904 and was complete by 21 July 1906.... |
Culver Down Culver Down Culver Down is a chalk down to the north of Sandown, Isle of Wight.It is believed that its name derives from "Culfre" - old English for "dove".... |
1904 | 1906 | Unknown | |||
| Bembridge Fort Bembridge Fort Bembridge Fort is a fort built on Bembridge Down close to the village of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the fort began in May 1862 and was completed by July 1867 at... |
Bembridge Down Bembridge Down Bembridge Down is a 56.3 hectare Site of special scientific interest which is north-east of Sandown. The site was notified in 1951 for both its biological and geological features.-Yarborough Monument:... |
1862 | 1867 | £48,925 | |||
| Redcliff Battery Redcliff Battery Redcliff Battery is a battery located to the west of the Culver Cliffs and east of Yaverland on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in April 1861 and was complete... |
Culver Down Culver Down Culver Down is a chalk down to the north of Sandown, Isle of Wight.It is believed that its name derives from "Culfre" - old English for "dove".... |
1861 | 1863 | £4,776 | |||
| Yaverland Battery Yaverland Battery Yaverland Battery is a battery located in Yaverland on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.The battery was completed in 1863 and was one of numerous forts built along the English coastline to protect England from an anticipated French invasion, under direction of Prime Minister Lord Palmerston... |
Yaverland Yaverland Yaverland is a village on the Isle of Wight, just north of Sandown. It has about 200 houses. About 1/3 of a mile away from the village is the Yaverland Manor and Church. Holotype fossils have been discovered here of Yaverlandia and a pterosaur, Caulkicephalus... |
1861 | 1864 | 15,183 | |||
| Sandown Fort Sandown Fort Sandown Fort is a fort built in Sandown on the Isle of Wight in the middle of Sandown Bay 108 feet above sea level. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the fort began in April 1861 and was completed by... |
Sandown Bay Sandown Bay Sandown Bay is a broad bay which stretches for much of the length of the Isle of Wight's southeastern coast. It extends ten kilometres from Culver Cliff in the northeast to just south of Shanklin in the southwest. The towns of Shanklin and Sandown are located on the bay's coast.The seabed is a... |
1861 | 1864 | £73,876 | |||
| Sandown Barrack Battery Sandown Barrack Battery Sandown Barrack Battery is a battery located in Sandown Bay close to Sandown on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion.... |
Sandown Bay Sandown Bay Sandown Bay is a broad bay which stretches for much of the length of the Isle of Wight's southeastern coast. It extends ten kilometres from Culver Cliff in the northeast to just south of Shanklin in the southwest. The towns of Shanklin and Sandown are located on the bay's coast.The seabed is a... |
1861 | 1863 | £62,331 |