Scoveston Fort
Encyclopedia
Scoveston Fort, on the northern shore of Milford Haven
, Pembrokeshire
, is a Grade II Listed Building which belongs to a series of forts built as part of the inner line of defence of the Haven following the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
. Built on high ground to the north east of the town of Milford Haven
, it commands excellent views of the surrounding countryside, and was the only fort around the Haven to be built inland.
The original recommendation from the commission was to build 6 defensive forts to protect the Haven from attacks from the north. Following a review by government, this was reduced to the site at Scoveston only, which would protect the towns of Milford Haven
and Neyland
. Construction commenced in 1861 and completed in 1864 at a cost of £45,462. The structure is hexagonal, surrounded by a 36-foot-wide escarpment.
The fort was designed as a garrison for 128 men, and had a complement of 32 guns. However in reality, it was never garrisoned, and used mainly as a training camp for volunteers and militia. World War I saw increased activity in the fort. In order to protect the dockyards of Milford Haven
, Neyland
and Pembroke Dock
, a complex system of trenches was built in the land surrounding the fort to ward against land based attack. The trench system ran from Waterston
to Llangwm
.
During World War II, it was used as an air raid shelter by residents of Neyland. It was later used as a warehouse to store munitions in readiness for D-Day. During peacetime, it was left empty, under the care of a single caretaker. In August 2005, a local doctor committed suicide close to the fort. The fort is currently in an overgrown state, and not accessible to the public.
Milford Haven (harbour)
Milford Haven Waterway is a natural harbour in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The Haven is a ria or drowned valley flooded at the end of the last Ice Age. formed by the Pembroke River and the Daugleddau estuary, and winds west to the sea...
, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
, is a Grade II Listed Building which belongs to a series of forts built as part of the inner line of defence of the Haven following the 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...
. Built on high ground to the north east of the town of Milford Haven
Milford Haven
Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is situated on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was founded in 1790 on the north side of the Waterway, from which it takes its name...
, it commands excellent views of the surrounding countryside, and was the only fort around the Haven to be built inland.
The original recommendation from the commission was to build 6 defensive forts to protect the Haven from attacks from the north. Following a review by government, this was reduced to the site at Scoveston only, which would protect the towns of Milford Haven
Milford Haven
Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is situated on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was founded in 1790 on the north side of the Waterway, from which it takes its name...
and Neyland
Neyland
Neyland is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The nearby Cleddau Bridge crosses the river, linking Neyland to Pembroke Dock.-History:...
. Construction commenced in 1861 and completed in 1864 at a cost of £45,462. The structure is hexagonal, surrounded by a 36-foot-wide escarpment.
The fort was designed as a garrison for 128 men, and had a complement of 32 guns. However in reality, it was never garrisoned, and used mainly as a training camp for volunteers and militia. World War I saw increased activity in the fort. In order to protect the dockyards of Milford Haven
Milford Haven
Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is situated on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was founded in 1790 on the north side of the Waterway, from which it takes its name...
, Neyland
Neyland
Neyland is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The nearby Cleddau Bridge crosses the river, linking Neyland to Pembroke Dock.-History:...
and Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock is a town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, lying north of Pembroke on the River Cleddau. Originally a small fishing village known as Paterchurch, the town was greatly expanded from 1814 onwards following the construction of a Royal Naval Dockyard...
, a complex system of trenches was built in the land surrounding the fort to ward against land based attack. The trench system ran from Waterston
Waterston
Waterston is a village near Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, south Wales.Part of the village lies between the boundaries of the Dragon LNG terminal. The plant is expected to process between ten and twenty percent of the UK's gas supply requirement....
to Llangwm
Llangwm
Llangwm could be one of several places in Wales:*Llangwm, Conwy*Llangwm, Monmouthshire*Llangwm, Pembrokeshire...
.
During World War II, it was used as an air raid shelter by residents of Neyland. It was later used as a warehouse to store munitions in readiness for D-Day. During peacetime, it was left empty, under the care of a single caretaker. In August 2005, a local doctor committed suicide close to the fort. The fort is currently in an overgrown state, and not accessible to the public.