West Blockhouse Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Blockhouse Fort |
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| Dale, Pembrokeshire in Wales | |
A view of the barracks from the terreplein or gun platform at West Blockhouse Fort.
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| Coordinates | 51°41′18″N 5°09′29″W / 51.6883°N 5.1580°W |
| Type | Coastal artillery fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Landmark Trust |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1857-1858 |
West Blockhouse Fort is an old fort built in the mid-1800s. It sits on a rocky piece of land called West Blockhouse Point, near Dale, Pembrokeshire, in Wales. This fort was designed to protect the entrance to Milford Haven, a large natural harbour.
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West Blockhouse Fort: A Coastal Defender
A Fort from Long Ago
Before the current fort, there was an even older building on this spot. It was a blockhouse built way back in 1539 by King Henry VIII. This was part of a big plan to build forts all around England and Wales to protect the coast. This old building was called West Blockhouse. There was also an East Blockhouse across the water, but it was never finished. The original West Blockhouse was taken down to make space for the new fort, so you can't see any parts of it today.
Building the New Fort
The fort you see today was planned in the early 1850s. At that time, people in Britain were worried about a possible attack from Napoléon III of France. The fort was built to work with other nearby forts, like Thorn Island Fort and Dale Fort. Together, they could fire their guns across the water to stop enemy ships.
The fort was finished by 1858, with the year 1857 carved above its main door. It first had six large guns. These guns were later considered old-fashioned.
What Happened to the Fort?
Over the years, the fort's guns were changed or removed. By 1900, the fort's main guns were taken away. However, new, more modern guns were added later, including four 5-inch guns and two smaller 3-pounder guns. By 1907, all the guns were gone again. The fort was then used for storage and a place for soldiers to stay.
During the Second World War, the fort became an important spot for controlling searchlights that lit up the water to spot enemy ships. Two searchlight positions were built nearby.
The Fort Today
The military stopped using the fort in 1956, and it became empty and started to fall apart. But in 1969, a group called the Landmark Trust bought the buildings. They worked to fix it up, starting in 1986. They rebuilt parts of the fort, including the old brick roof of the barracks (where soldiers lived). Now, the barracks have been turned into holiday apartments where people can stay!
West Blockhouse Fort is a special building. In 1996, it was given a Grade II* Listed Building status. This means it's a very important historical building, known as one of the best-preserved forts around Milford Haven.
West Blockhouse Battery
In 1900, another set of gun positions, called West Blockhouse Battery, was started nearby. This battery was built higher up the cliff and had more modern guns. It had two very large 9.2-inch guns and three 6-inch guns. These guns were also used to protect the coast.
Over time, some of these guns were removed and then put back. By 1939, the largest guns were taken away. The two 6-inch guns stayed until 1956, when coastal artillery was no longer used. Today, this battery is also empty. You can still see the concrete places where the guns once stood, but other parts of the battery have been removed or are covered by plants.
