Redoubt Fortress

In 1803 Napoleon had subdued Italy and Austria and was preparing to invade Britain. He had assembled 167,000 men at Boulogne waiting for sufficient ships and barges to ferry them across the Channel. In response to this threat the British Government began a massive building program to defend the south coast. 74 Martello Towers were built as well as three circular fortresses at Eastbourne, Dymchurch and Harwich. Nelson’s victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 ended any risk that Britain could be invaded. By 1859 advances in warfare and artillery meant that a British Government report found that the Martello Towers and Redoubts were ‘not an important element of security against attack’. The Redoubt slowly fell into disuse.

Construction of the Redoubt Fortress was handled by William Hobson with work starting in 1804 and continuing until 1810. Five million bricks were shipped on barges down the east coast from London for the fortress. The Redoubt is made up of 24 Casemates placed in a ring 220 feet in diameter; it is surrounded by a moat 25 ft wide by 24 ft deep but due to the Redoubt standing on shingle the moat could never be filled.

The only entrance was across a bridge which linked the gun platform with the inland face of the fortress.

The sea facing side is protected with a layer of shingle mixed with cement to help the building to survive cannon fire from enemy ships. The interior of the fortress is on two levels, the upper being the gun platform and the lower accommodation for up to 350 soldiers.

The Redoubt Fortress is now used as a home for a whole host of exciting adventures. Every Saturday evening during May to October and for kids every Sunday afternoon in August you will be able to enjoy the eclectic mix of movies in intimate surroundings at the newly opened Redoubt cinema.

With new and exciting plans for use of the other casemates, stay tuned and keep an eye on the Redoubt Fortress Website.