Bowden Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bowden Fort |
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Surrounding walls at the rear of the Fort, near to the modern garden centre entrance, taken 2005
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 Bowden Fort
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| Coordinates | 50°24′22″N 4°07′00″W / 50.40611°N 4.11667°W |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Largely intact with some alterations |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1863-1868 |
| In use | Garden Centre |
| Materials | Earth Masonry |
Bowden Fort is an old fort built in the 1800s. It was created to help protect the city of Plymouth in England. Specifically, it guarded the land around the important Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport. Today, this historic fort is used as a garden centre!
Contents
Why Was Bowden Fort Built?
Bowden Fort was part of a huge defense plan. This plan was put together after a special report in 1859. People in Britain were worried about a possible attack from France. To protect important places like naval bases, a series of forts were planned.
The Palmerston Forts Project
The forts built during this time are often called Palmerston Forts. They are named after the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, who strongly supported the idea. These forts were designed to defend Britain's coastline and major cities from invasion. Bowden Fort was one of many built around Plymouth.
How Was Bowden Fort Designed?
The fort was designed by Captain Edmund Frederick Du Cane. He later became a Major General. The construction of Bowden Fort began in 1863 and was finished by 1868.
Building Materials and Features
- The fort was built using strong materials like earth and masonry (stone and brickwork).
- It was armed with 12 large guns and 3 mortars. Mortars are like cannons that fire shells high into the air.
- A small building was also constructed inside the fort. This barrack block could house up to 12 soldiers.
Connecting to Other Forts
Bowden Fort was not alone. It was connected by a special military road to other nearby forts. These included Crownhill Fort and Forder Battery. This network of forts worked together to create a strong defense line.
What Happened to Bowden Fort?
By the early 1900s, military technology had changed a lot. New weapons and strategies meant that forts like Bowden Fort were no longer the best way to defend a city.
No Longer a Military Fort
- Because it was no longer needed for defense, the fort's guns were removed.
- In 1960, the War Office (the government department in charge of military matters) sold the fort.
- It was bought by Plymouth City Council.
A New Life as a Garden Centre
In 1973, Bowden Fort was given a special status. It became a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical site that needs to be protected. Today, the fort has a very different use. It is now a busy garden centre! The back part of the fort, called the gorge, was filled in to create a car park for visitors.
