Lord Howard's Battery is a former gun battery built in 1908–09 to defend the approach to HMNB Devonport through Plymouth Sound and Jennycliff Bay.[1][2]

Lord Howard's Battery
Plymouth
Devon
England
The remains of Lord Howard's Battery, overlooked by Jennycliff Cafe
Lord Howard's Battery is located in Devon
Lord Howard's Battery
Lord Howard's Battery
Coordinates50°21′07″N 4°07′20″W / 50.3520°N 4.1222°W / 50.3520; -4.1222
Site information
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionInfilled
Site history
Built1908–09

The battery was armed with two BL 6-inch Mk VII guns, which were removed prior to World War II. The battery was recommissioned in 1941 with the installation of two guns of the same type, and these remained in place until the battery's closure in 1946.[2]

After its closure, the battery was used as a caravan site.[3] During the late 20th-century, the battery and its surrounding area was transformed into a public space by Plymouth City Council. The two gun emplacements and magazine were infilled with earth, and all ancillary buildings were demolished. The features that remain visible include the concrete aprons of the emplacements and a concrete parapet. Adjacent to Jennycliff Cafe is the battery's former blockhouse.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "New battery for Plymouth". London Evening Standard. 12 September 1908.
  2. ^ a b Historic England. "Lord Howard Battery (1396380)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Property and compensation reports - Google Books". 9 September 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2019.

Bibliography edit

  • Woodward, Freddy (1996). The Historic Defences of Plymouth. Cornwall County Council. ISBN 978-1898166467.

External sources edit