West Blockhouse

Solidly constructed out of limestone and granite, the fort had accommodation for 41 men and one officer and a battery of six 68-pounder cannons. It was remodelled in 1901 to accommodate a new battery which included four five-inch BL guns mounted on Vavasseur carriages in the barbette battery and two 3lb QF guns on the roof. A short time later, between 1904-05, gun emplacements were built on the cliff top above the old fort; these were equipped with two 9.2-inch BL Mark X guns and three 6-inch Mark VII guns; these gun emplacements can be seen behind the fort. In the First World War West Blockhouse was manned by the Royal Artillery, and it was brought into service again in the Second World War when it was again garrisoned by the Royal Artillery and was the ‘Examination Battery’ responsible for ensuring ships neither entered nor left the port without authority. Beyond the fort, in Watwick Bay, is the small quay where all the fort’s supplies would have been landed. West Blockhouse has been restored by the Landmark Trust and visitors are able to stay there.