Henley Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henley Fort |
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The view across Guildford from Henley Fort
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| General information | |
| Address | Henley Fort Outdoor Education Centre, The Mount, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4RH |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°13′50″N 0°35′49″W / 51.230509°N 0.5968996°W |
| Owner | Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development |
Henley Fort is an old fort from the Victorian era. It is located near Guildford in Surrey, United Kingdom. The fort sits at the eastern end of a hill range called the 'Hog's Back'. Today, it's a cool place where kids and groups can go for outdoor learning adventures!
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History of Henley Fort
Building a Defence Fort
Henley Fort was built a long time ago, between the 1880s and 1890s. It was part of a big plan called the London Defence Positions. Imagine a chain of forts built to protect London, the capital city. Henley Fort was the most western fort in this 17-mile-long chain.
The main reason for building it was to protect London from a possible attack by the French army. At first, they built it very quickly because everyone was worried about an invasion. But as the danger passed, the building work slowed down.
What Was Its Purpose?
Even though it was a fort, Henley Fort was never actually used in a real battle. It didn't have enough soldiers or weapons to defend itself like a traditional fort. Instead, it was used for training. Volunteer soldiers would come here to learn and practice. It was also a meeting place for these volunteers once a month.
Something interesting about the fort's construction is that it was built using chalk. This was a clever idea! Chalk was used to help prevent gunpowder from exploding if the fort ever got bombed. They even made ammunition right there at the fort.
Henley Fort in World War II
Years later, during the Second World War, Henley Fort was used again for defence. This time, it was used by the Home Guard. The Home Guard was a group of local volunteers who helped protect Britain during the war.
A Camp for Schools
In the 1950s, Henley Fort became a camp for local schools. Imagine getting to spend two weeks there each year! Students would stay at the fort and go on walks all around Surrey. It was a great way for them to explore the outdoors.
Henley Fort Today
Today, Henley Fort is no longer a military fort or a school camp. It is now an educational centre. It is run by an organisation called Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development. This centre welcomes all kinds of groups, especially young people, who want to have an outdoor learning experience. It's a fantastic place to learn new skills and enjoy nature!
