Historic Steps

The City of Plymouth is ringed by a line of forts, many of which are within walking distance of home. This is a detail from the outer wall of Crownhill Fort taken today. A path leads around the top of the outer wall and as you walk around it you soon become emersed in another age. Crownhill Fort was constructed in the 1860's in response to a perceived threat from the miliary might of Napoleon III of France. The so-called Palmerston Forts were built in a ring around Plymouth to protect the naval dockyards. By the time it was finished there was no longer a threat and they became known as the Palmerston follies. Today this huge and impressive fort is looked after by the Landmark Trust.