Fort Perch Rock Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Perch Rock
New Brighton, Merseyside, England

Fort Perch Rock Location of Fort Perch Rock in Merseyside
Coordinates	53°26′34″N 3°02′28″W / 53.4427°N 3.0412°W / 53.4427; -3.0412
Type	Coastal fort
Site information
Owner	Museum
Controlled by	United Kingdom
Condition	Good
Site history
Built	1825–29
Materials	Sandstone

Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Fort Perch Rock
Designated:	4 January 1977
Reference #:	1258164

Fort Perch Rock is an old fort located at the entrance of Liverpool Bay in New Brighton, Merseyside, England. It was built a long time ago, in the 1820s, to protect the important Port of Liverpool. Today, it's a fun place to visit! It's a museum and a popular spot for tourists. The fort has also been used for music concerts. It is a special historic building, known as a Grade II* listed building. You can even find a cafe called "The Mess" and a World War 2 themed escape room called "Escape the Fort" inside.

Building a Strong Fort
Fort Perch Rock Today
In Books and Art
Gallery
See also

Building a Strong Fort

Fort Perch Rock is a type of fort called a coastal defence battery. This means it was built to protect the coast with big guns. Construction started in 1825, and the first stone was laid in 1826. The fort was finished in 1829.

Why Was it Built?

The main reason for building the fort was to protect the busy Port of Liverpool. People also thought about making it a fortified lighthouse. However, a separate lighthouse was built instead. The fort was built on a rocky area called Black Rock. At first, the fort would be surrounded by water during high tide. But over time, the land around it was changed, so now you can always reach it easily.

How the Fort Was Made

The fort is quite large, covering about 3,345 square meters. It was big enough to hold 100 soldiers. The builders used strong red Sandstone from quarries in Runcorn. The walls of the fort are very tall, ranging from 7 to 10 meters high. The towers reach up to 12 meters!

The fort used to have a drawbridge and a fancy entrance. This entrance had a special stone with a coat of arms and the words 'Fort Perch Rock'. At one point, the fort had 18 cannons, most of them very powerful 32-pounders. Because it was so strong, people sometimes called it the 'Little Gibraltar of the Mersey'.

The Foundation Stone Story

A special stone was placed when the fort began. It tells us that the fort was planned by John Sikes Kitson, a Captain in the Royal Engineers. The Mayor of Liverpool, Peter Bourne, laid the stone on March 31, 1826. This was during the reign of King George IV. The Duke of Wellington, a famous military leader, was also involved.

The fort was expected to cost about £27,065. Captain Kitson did a great job, finishing the fort for slightly less than planned!

Fort Perch Rock Today

Today, Fort Perch Rock is a popular place for visitors. It's no longer used for defence but has become a fun and interesting attraction.

Music and Events

In the past, the fort was a place where you could rent it for parties. In the late 1970s, members of the famous band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark even played there! Since the 1990s, the fort has hosted many different music events. For example, in 2006, there were several rock concerts organized by young people from Wallasey. These events were even mentioned in The Guardian newspaper and The NME music magazine.

Museum and Activities

The fort has a museum with interesting displays. You can learn about military aviation and the history of ships and the sea. There used to be a museum about old marine radio equipment too.

In 2022, a new "Escape The Fort" escape room opened inside. It's a fun challenge where you solve puzzles to "escape" a themed room. Also, in spring 2022, "The Mess" cafe opened. It's a great spot to grab a bite to eat and is open every day.

Fort Perch Rock in Movies

In 2024, a World War Two movie called The Black Rock was filmed at Fort Perch Rock. It starred actors Kyle Brookes and Charles Riley and was directed by Andrew Games.

In Books and Art

Fort Perch Rock has even inspired artists! A poet named Letitia Elizabeth Landon wrote a poem called The Black-Rock Fort and Lighthouse. In her poem, she imagined the fort's light as a warm welcome for sailors coming home to England.