I used to visit this site 20 years ago on holiday and on a recent visit I was amazed to find it was still there and in good condition.
The costal defence battery was built in the 1880’s by the Duke of Northumberland. He must have been a builder in his spare time as he did a pretty good job of it
It was built during heightened tensions with France but was never used in anger. It was modified and re-enforced with brick during the Second World War and was used as an observation post. The building is split over two tiers with two rooms on the top and an ammunitions store below.
The outside of the battery showing the two levels
The plaque says: THIS BATTERY WAS ERECTED BY HIS GRACE ALGERNON DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND K.G. FOR THE USE OF THE PERCY ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED 12TH MARCH 1881
Stone outer wall with peep hole
Flat stone roof that felt incredibly strong and very slippery
Inside brick walls from WW2. It looks like they have been angled - could this be to do with deflecting the force of a blast?
Inside looking out, it gives you an appreciation of how thick the walls are
There is this hole in the floor to the ammo store beneath. I’m not sure if this to shout down instructions or to pass up ammunition the people above
The steps down to the lower level along with the route to them were well over grown. I didn’t fancy going down there as I’m not much of a gardner!
Orienteering marker on the roof
The view from the top
I enjoyed exploring this place, I hope it is as interesting to you as it was to me. Picture were taken with my trusty point and shoot so sorry for the lack of light painting and fancy camera tricks
The costal defence battery was built in the 1880’s by the Duke of Northumberland. He must have been a builder in his spare time as he did a pretty good job of it
It was built during heightened tensions with France but was never used in anger. It was modified and re-enforced with brick during the Second World War and was used as an observation post. The building is split over two tiers with two rooms on the top and an ammunitions store below.
The outside of the battery showing the two levels
The plaque says: THIS BATTERY WAS ERECTED BY HIS GRACE ALGERNON DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND K.G. FOR THE USE OF THE PERCY ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED 12TH MARCH 1881
Stone outer wall with peep hole
Flat stone roof that felt incredibly strong and very slippery
Inside brick walls from WW2. It looks like they have been angled - could this be to do with deflecting the force of a blast?
Inside looking out, it gives you an appreciation of how thick the walls are
There is this hole in the floor to the ammo store beneath. I’m not sure if this to shout down instructions or to pass up ammunition the people above
The steps down to the lower level along with the route to them were well over grown. I didn’t fancy going down there as I’m not much of a gardner!
Orienteering marker on the roof
The view from the top
I enjoyed exploring this place, I hope it is as interesting to you as it was to me. Picture were taken with my trusty point and shoot so sorry for the lack of light painting and fancy camera tricks