Who owns Fort Widley?

Who owns Fort Widley?

Portsmouth City Council

Fort Widley
Owner Portsmouth City Council
Site history
Built 1860–1870
Built by William Tredwell

Is Fort Southwick open to the public?

Fort Southwick is one of the forts found on Portsdown Hill, which overlooks the naval base of Portsmouth in the county of Hampshire, England….

Fort Southwick
Open to the public No
Condition Complete
Site history
Built 1861-1870

How old is Fort purbrook?

Fort Purbrook was completed in 1870 and forms part of the line of forts on Portsdown Hill, along with Fort Widley, Fort Southwick and Fort Nelson. Fort Purbrook lies to the East of Fort Widley, and was originally supported by two small redoubts known as Farlington and Crookhorn, although both have know been demolished.

Who owns Fort purbrook?

The fort is owned by Portsmouth City Council, and leased to a charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre.

What was Fort widely used for?

During World War II Fort Widley was used for planning rooms and as the Royal Engineers’ Bomb Disposal Unit. In 1942 it was used to house prisoners of war and from 1943 it was an alternative control centre for Southwick House (HMS Dryad).

How many forts are there on Portsdown Hill?

As well as being an important area for wildlife, Portsdown Hill has an interesting military history, and there is much to explore, including: six Victorian hill forts built to protect Portsmouth’s dockyard and naval base. The six forts stretch from Wallington to Farlington.

Can you visit Fort Southwick?

Fort Southwick is privately owned and there is currently no access to the public. During the Second World War, a network of tunnels was speciallly created underneath this Victorian fort.

Can you walk up Portsdown Hill?

The walk starts from the car park and view point, located on Portsdown Hill Road, just to the east of the fort. From here you can pick up footpaths heading west to the fort where there is another public path circling around the fort.

How high above sea level is Portsdown Hill?

430′Portsdown Hill / Elevation

Who owns Portsdown Hill?

It is jointly owned by Portsmouth City Council, Fareham Borough Council and the Ministry of Defence. The south facing area between SU 618068 in west to SU 666064 in east is designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Within the SSSI the height ranges from 160 to 350 feet.

Why was portsdown park demolished?

On top of that due to its inherent architectural design problems there were serious issues of access and ultimately vandalism and gangs (empty underground carparks are never a good idea). By 1987 the whole estate was set for demolition.

How big is Portsdown Hill?

The hill is on the mainland, just to the north of Ports Creek, which separates the mainland from Portsea Island, on which lies the main part of the city of Portsmouth, one of the United Kingdom’s main naval bases….

Portsdown Hill
Elevation 131 m (430 ft)
Listing County Top
Geography
Location Hampshire, England

Why was Fort Widley in Portsmouth designed?

It was designed, along with the other Palmerston Forts atop Portsdown, to protect Portsmouth from attack from the rear. Fort Widley was a polygonal Fort designed by William Crossman, an officer of the Royal Engineers, who was part of the staff of the Inspector General of Fortifications at the War Office.

What is the name of the fort in Portsmouth?

Fort Widley. Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, England. View from north of Fort Widley. Fort Widley is one of the forts built on top of Portsdown Hill between 1860 and 1868 on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom.

What is happening to Fort Widley?

Like the adjacent Fort Purbrook, Fort Widley is owned by Portsmouth City Council and leased to a charitable trust. Maintenance issues are now becoming repair problems. Historic England is working with all parties to address these.

Why is there a fort on Portsdown Hill?

/ 50.8541; -1.0676 Fort Widley is one of the forts built on top of Portsdown Hill between 1860 and 1868 on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom. It was designed, along with the other Palmerston Forts atop Portsdown, to protect Portsmouth from attack from the rear.

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