Introduction
Had the good fortune to be working in Plymouth a couple of times a year over a four-year stint. Although I was without car it always involved an overnight stay so spare time was spent walking to the many naval sites in the area. Did a number of reports at the time but with no new explores and a bit of time on my hands, thought I’d bring all the places together in one report.
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1. Renney Battery
Renney Point Battery was built upon the cliffs overlooking the eastern approaches to Plymouth Sound. Constructed in 1905, it was equipped with heavy, breach loading weapons capable of engaging armoured battleships. The battery saw service during both World Wars. Fitted with 3 x 9.2inch Breach Loading guns which were specifically designed for engaging armoured battleships, it was secured with anti-personnel defences, including infantry blockhouses and an unclimbable fence as soon as World War I broke out. It remained in service during the inter-war years and two searchlights added in 1933. With the outbreak of World War II, it was fitted with long range mountings which increased its range to a staggering 20 miles. Also fitted with 2 x 60-pounders, one 6-pounder, 2 x anti-aircraft 40mm Bofors and two mortars, post war, it was scaled back to just the 3 x 9.2inch Breach Loading guns, before being completely disarmed in 1957. The site was then retained by the Ministry of Defence as a training establishment until 1991.
Sadly, ran out of time with this place and only managed a few pictures from the periphery:
2. Lentney Gun Battery
Lentney Battery was built in 1905 as one of three 6-inch gun batteries to defend the Eastern approaches to Plymouth Sound, for the defence of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport, 3.7 miles to the north-east. Lentney and Renney batteries were strategically placed to keep the largest enemy battleships and armoured cruisers of the pre-Dreadnought era out of range from bombarding the dockyard and ships anchored in Plymouth Sound. Originally intended to house 3 guns, only two emplacements were completed for the 6-inch Mark VII breech-loading naval guns. The magazines, ammunition prep areas and barracks were situated below the battery. During the Second World War between 1939 and 1941 the battery was modernised and re-armed with similar guns (but this time the Mk24 guns included splinter boxes over the guns) as before manned by men from 156 Royal Artillery Battery. After the war, the battery was used as one of the practise batteries for the Coast Artillery Training School who were based up the coast at Fort Staddon. The battery remained in usable condition until the dissolution of coast artillery in the United Kingdom in 1956 when it was once again disarmed, and the guns sold for scrap. The site was then released by the military in 1991.
In 1911 the battery was put into reserve, as its role was better fulfilled by the contemporary battery at Watch House. In 1914 a blockhouse and unclimbable fence was added, and the battery was manned by the Devonshire Royal Garrison Artillery who shared accommodation with the nearby Renney Battery to the south. The guns were dismounted after the First World War.
With time at a premium and having no car at my disposal, this was a bit of a logistical challenge getting out here. Utilising Plymouth's fantastic bus service I got as close to Fort Bovisand as I could then walked the rest of the way along the country back-roads. Once at Bovisand I turned left and walked along the coastal path then turned inland to reach the battery. It was a beautiful March day with bright sunlight and blue skies. It was so peaceful and the site itself remains incredibly untouched, bar the odd graff artist that has found their way here. There is still plenty to see here including the original lighting and powder/shell and cartridge hoists, making this a most enjoyable visit.
Full report HERE
3. Woodland’s Fort
Woodland Fort is one of the Palmerston Forts that form Plymouth's north-eastern defences that were constructed in the late 1800s with the purpose of defending the Royal Dockyard at Devonport from the possibility of a French attack, under the leadership of Napoleon III. Construction commended in 1863 but was delayed when the contractors failed in 1866. It was later completed in 1870 at a total cost of £27,973.
The fort is trapezoidal in shape and incorporates many advanced Victorian fort design innovations from the time. It housed 18 guns in total with two in Haxo casemates. The soldiers' barracks, with room for 100 soldiers, are situated to the north of the parade ground while the now-ruined cookhouse is located down the north-west side. The magazines are to the north east. There is a caponier to the north west covering the west flank and a counterscarp gallery to the north east, which was armed with four 32 pounder SBBL guns as well as serving as extra accommodation for the soldiers. This can be seen from the plan below: This gallery was accessed via a tunnel heading beneath the ditch. The purpose of the gallery was to provide flanking fire along the north and east lengths of the defensive ditch. The gatehouse is at the south of the fort and retains some elements of the fort’s original drawbridge mechanism.
It was apparently disarmed in 1895 and then used mainly for accommodation during World War I. It was then sold off by the MOD in 1920 but re-occupied by the military during World War II. It was then used by Devon County Council as library and community centre. The fort is now largely derelict, although the aforementioned barracks are still in use and maintained by a group of volunteers. However, the rest of the fort suffers from a lack of maintenance and has been subject to extensive vandalism. Both the caponier and counterscarp are inaccessible from within the fort as both access tunnels are now blocked off. When Crownhill Road was enlarged, due south of the fort, the ditch was filled in allowing easy access to the fort on foot, although the site is not open to the public.
Due to my train arriving in Plymouth late and time being tight I caught the bus over to Woodland’s fort as the evening was drawing in. Fortunately, I got there before the sun had gone down and started to explore this fantastic Palmerston Fort. The barracks are still used by a social club, but the rest of the fort is abandoned. By the looks of recent pictures, they have now cleared a lot of the undergrowth off the batteries on three sides of the fort. Sadly, there was no entry point to the caponier (that I could squeeze through!) and I forgot to check the counterscarp gallery out (revisit therefore required). That aside though this was a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so of the remaining daylight.
Full Report HERE
4. Cremyll Oil Storage Depot
Couldn"t find a whole lot of info on this place. The only thing I did find is that it was a former Royal Navy oil storage depot. It was very easy to find and get to site itself but in terms of looking around, very over-grown in the Summer months. It was hard getting into some of the buildings as I wasn’t in the mood to do battle with the brambles, hence a limited set of pictures. Subsequently found there was a far more impressive place nearby (see no.5) which I made a beeline for next time I was in town.
Full Report HERE
Had the good fortune to be working in Plymouth a couple of times a year over a four-year stint. Although I was without car it always involved an overnight stay so spare time was spent walking to the many naval sites in the area. Did a number of reports at the time but with no new explores and a bit of time on my hands, thought I’d bring all the places together in one report.
1. Renney Battery
Renney Point Battery was built upon the cliffs overlooking the eastern approaches to Plymouth Sound. Constructed in 1905, it was equipped with heavy, breach loading weapons capable of engaging armoured battleships. The battery saw service during both World Wars. Fitted with 3 x 9.2inch Breach Loading guns which were specifically designed for engaging armoured battleships, it was secured with anti-personnel defences, including infantry blockhouses and an unclimbable fence as soon as World War I broke out. It remained in service during the inter-war years and two searchlights added in 1933. With the outbreak of World War II, it was fitted with long range mountings which increased its range to a staggering 20 miles. Also fitted with 2 x 60-pounders, one 6-pounder, 2 x anti-aircraft 40mm Bofors and two mortars, post war, it was scaled back to just the 3 x 9.2inch Breach Loading guns, before being completely disarmed in 1957. The site was then retained by the Ministry of Defence as a training establishment until 1991.
Sadly, ran out of time with this place and only managed a few pictures from the periphery:
2. Lentney Gun Battery
Lentney Battery was built in 1905 as one of three 6-inch gun batteries to defend the Eastern approaches to Plymouth Sound, for the defence of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport, 3.7 miles to the north-east. Lentney and Renney batteries were strategically placed to keep the largest enemy battleships and armoured cruisers of the pre-Dreadnought era out of range from bombarding the dockyard and ships anchored in Plymouth Sound. Originally intended to house 3 guns, only two emplacements were completed for the 6-inch Mark VII breech-loading naval guns. The magazines, ammunition prep areas and barracks were situated below the battery. During the Second World War between 1939 and 1941 the battery was modernised and re-armed with similar guns (but this time the Mk24 guns included splinter boxes over the guns) as before manned by men from 156 Royal Artillery Battery. After the war, the battery was used as one of the practise batteries for the Coast Artillery Training School who were based up the coast at Fort Staddon. The battery remained in usable condition until the dissolution of coast artillery in the United Kingdom in 1956 when it was once again disarmed, and the guns sold for scrap. The site was then released by the military in 1991.
In 1911 the battery was put into reserve, as its role was better fulfilled by the contemporary battery at Watch House. In 1914 a blockhouse and unclimbable fence was added, and the battery was manned by the Devonshire Royal Garrison Artillery who shared accommodation with the nearby Renney Battery to the south. The guns were dismounted after the First World War.
With time at a premium and having no car at my disposal, this was a bit of a logistical challenge getting out here. Utilising Plymouth's fantastic bus service I got as close to Fort Bovisand as I could then walked the rest of the way along the country back-roads. Once at Bovisand I turned left and walked along the coastal path then turned inland to reach the battery. It was a beautiful March day with bright sunlight and blue skies. It was so peaceful and the site itself remains incredibly untouched, bar the odd graff artist that has found their way here. There is still plenty to see here including the original lighting and powder/shell and cartridge hoists, making this a most enjoyable visit.
Full report HERE
3. Woodland’s Fort
Woodland Fort is one of the Palmerston Forts that form Plymouth's north-eastern defences that were constructed in the late 1800s with the purpose of defending the Royal Dockyard at Devonport from the possibility of a French attack, under the leadership of Napoleon III. Construction commended in 1863 but was delayed when the contractors failed in 1866. It was later completed in 1870 at a total cost of £27,973.
The fort is trapezoidal in shape and incorporates many advanced Victorian fort design innovations from the time. It housed 18 guns in total with two in Haxo casemates. The soldiers' barracks, with room for 100 soldiers, are situated to the north of the parade ground while the now-ruined cookhouse is located down the north-west side. The magazines are to the north east. There is a caponier to the north west covering the west flank and a counterscarp gallery to the north east, which was armed with four 32 pounder SBBL guns as well as serving as extra accommodation for the soldiers. This can be seen from the plan below: This gallery was accessed via a tunnel heading beneath the ditch. The purpose of the gallery was to provide flanking fire along the north and east lengths of the defensive ditch. The gatehouse is at the south of the fort and retains some elements of the fort’s original drawbridge mechanism.
It was apparently disarmed in 1895 and then used mainly for accommodation during World War I. It was then sold off by the MOD in 1920 but re-occupied by the military during World War II. It was then used by Devon County Council as library and community centre. The fort is now largely derelict, although the aforementioned barracks are still in use and maintained by a group of volunteers. However, the rest of the fort suffers from a lack of maintenance and has been subject to extensive vandalism. Both the caponier and counterscarp are inaccessible from within the fort as both access tunnels are now blocked off. When Crownhill Road was enlarged, due south of the fort, the ditch was filled in allowing easy access to the fort on foot, although the site is not open to the public.
Due to my train arriving in Plymouth late and time being tight I caught the bus over to Woodland’s fort as the evening was drawing in. Fortunately, I got there before the sun had gone down and started to explore this fantastic Palmerston Fort. The barracks are still used by a social club, but the rest of the fort is abandoned. By the looks of recent pictures, they have now cleared a lot of the undergrowth off the batteries on three sides of the fort. Sadly, there was no entry point to the caponier (that I could squeeze through!) and I forgot to check the counterscarp gallery out (revisit therefore required). That aside though this was a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so of the remaining daylight.
Full Report HERE
4. Cremyll Oil Storage Depot
Couldn"t find a whole lot of info on this place. The only thing I did find is that it was a former Royal Navy oil storage depot. It was very easy to find and get to site itself but in terms of looking around, very over-grown in the Summer months. It was hard getting into some of the buildings as I wasn’t in the mood to do battle with the brambles, hence a limited set of pictures. Subsequently found there was a far more impressive place nearby (see no.5) which I made a beeline for next time I was in town.
Full Report HERE
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Thanks for the report tag too, gotta say you deffo do need to get your arse out to the island though, its well worth it!
