Spitbank Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spitbank Fort |
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| Solent, England | |
Spitbank Fort
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 Spitbank Fort
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| Coordinates | 50°46′13.6″N 1°5′56.7″W / 50.770444°N 1.099083°W |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | AmaZing Venues |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Official name | Spitbank Fort |
| Designated | 21 January 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1018587 |
| Condition | Complete |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861–1878 |
| In use | 1878–1956 |
Spitbank Fort, also known as Spitsand Fort or Spit Sand Fort, is a sea fort. It was built to protect the coast of England. This fort is one of four "Palmerston Forts" constructed in the Solent area, near Portsmouth, England. Today, Spitbank Fort has been transformed into a luxury hotel.
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The Story of Spitbank Fort
Built for Defense: 1878-1956
The Spitbank Fort was one of four strong forts designed by Captain E. H. Stewart. Construction began in 1867 and finished in 1878. It cost a lot of money to build.
Spitbank Fort is smaller than its two main neighbors, Horse Sand Fort and No Man's Land Fort. Its main job was to provide an extra line of defense. It would protect against enemy ships that managed to get past the bigger forts. The fort is about 49 meters (162 feet) wide at its base. It has one main floor and a basement. Only the side facing the sea was covered with strong armor.
When it was first planned, the fort was meant to hold nine large guns on the seaward side. It would also have six smaller guns facing the land. However, by the time it was finished, the plan changed. The seaward side received nine very powerful 12.5-inch guns. Later, in 1884, more modern 12-inch guns were installed. These guns were used until after World War I.
In 1898, the fort's role changed. It was then used to defend against smaller, faster boats. The roof was fitted with two 4.7-inch guns and powerful searchlights. By the early 1900s, most of the original large guns were removed. Smaller guns and searchlights continued to be updated over the years. During the Second World War, the forts helped protect the Portsmouth dockyards. Life on the fort was very isolated for the soldiers stationed there.
No Longer Used: 1956-1982
After coastal defenses were no longer needed in 1956, the fort became unused. In 1962, it was decided that the fort was no longer needed by the military. It was put up for sale the next year, but nobody bought it. In 1967, the fort was officially recognized as a Scheduled Monument. This means it is an important historical site that needs to be protected. The Ministry of Defence sold the fort to a private owner in 1982. This happened during a time when the government was cutting defense spending.
A Museum and TV Star: 1982-2009
After being bought, the fort was repaired and opened to the public as a museum.
In 2002, the fort was used for a British TV show called Banged Up With Beadle. A TV personality named Jeremy Beadle stayed in the fort for six weeks. Cameras followed him as he learned survival skills. The fort was also featured in a 2006 episode of Most Haunted, a show about ghosts. In 2009, the fort hosted the Coalition Festival and other music parties.
A Luxury Hotel: 2012-Present
In 2009, Spitbank Fort was put up for sale again. It was sold for more than £1 million. The fort then underwent a huge transformation, costing around £8 million. It reopened in 2012 as a fancy spa hotel. It has nine luxury bedroom suites.
A report from 2018 said that Spitbank Fort was largely undamaged. Its status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument helped protect it from bad changes. The designers were very careful to keep all the original parts. At that time, the 9-suite Spitbank Fort was open for business. It hosted overnight stays, company events, and weddings. It could hold up to 60 guests during the day.
In 2020, the hotel had to close because of the coronavirus pandemic. It could not reopen when other hotels did because it was unique. Getting people to and from the fort, and keeping it clean, was very difficult. In July 2020, all three forts owned by Clarenco were put up for sale. Spitbank Fort was described as a 33,000 square foot luxury retreat with three floors. On September 14, 2020, the music band Pendulum recorded a concert at Spitbank Fort. This concert was streamed live on YouTube on October 2, 2020.
