Golden Hill Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden Hill Fort |
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| Golden Hill, Isle of Wight, England | |
Golden Hill Fort after conversion to residential in 2016
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 Golden Hill Fort
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| Coordinates | 50°41′22″N 1°31′18″W / 50.689333°N 1.521639°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Hunter Estates |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1863-1872 |
| In use | 1872 onwards |
| Materials | Brick |
Golden Hill Fort is a historic building located in Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight, England. It was built between 1863 and 1872. This fort was part of a large defense plan known as the Palmerston defences. These defenses were set up by the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom in 1859.
The fort's main purpose was to house soldiers. These soldiers would then help protect the western side of the Isle of Wight. The fort was shaped like a hexagon. It could hold 8 officers and 128 soldiers. It even had its own hospital for the troops.
The soldiers who protected the nearby Hatherwood Battery also stayed at Golden Hill Fort. In 1914, a group called the 33 Company Royal Garrison Artillery was based there. The fort is a well-known landmark. It sits high up, offering great views towards Afton Down. When the fort was active, the area around it was kept clear of trees. This allowed soldiers to see out towards the Solent sea. The name "Golden Hill" comes from an old landowner named Gauden, not from the golden gorse flowers.
Golden Hill Fort: A Historic Landmark
Golden Hill Fort is a very important historical building. It is a Grade 1 Listed Building. This means it has special protection because of its history and architecture. Today, the fort is privately owned. It is not open for the public to visit.
For many years, the building was empty and falling apart. It changed owners several times. In 2003, permission was given to turn it into homes. This plan was updated in 2007. Between 2008 and 2011, Golden Hill Fort was changed into 18 homes by a company called Golden Hill Homes.
Exploring Golden Hill Country Park
The land around Golden Hill Fort is a public space. It is known as Golden Hill Country Park. The Isle of Wight Council owns this park. It is managed by an organization called Gift to Nature. The park has open grassland areas. It also has some areas with young woodlands.
From the park, you can enjoy long views across Afton Down and Freshwater Bay. There are also bridleways, which are paths for walking or riding horses. The park has special viewpoints and a small car park. The ground in the park has different types of soil. This helps many different plants grow there. You can find yellow-wort and dwarf thistle, which like chalky soil. There is also dyer's greenweed and gorse. These plants attract many types of butterflies. The park's different habitats, from open grass to woods, make it a great place for nature.
