Who owns Fort Widley?
The fort is owned by Portsmouth City Council, and leased to a charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre.
When were the forts on Portsdown Hill built?
The five forts, with two supporting batteries, were built between 1861 and 1874 on the top of Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth to protect the harbour from an invasion force attacking from the north or east by land. From east to west these are Forts Purbrook, Widley, Southwick, Nelson and Wallington.
How was Portsdown Hill formed?
The chalk of Portsdown Hill was formed over 65 million years ago at the bottom of a tropical sea. It is made from the microscopic remains of marine algae. The chalk formed folded layers that are continuous with the chalk of Southern England and the near continent.
How long is Portsdown Hill?
management programme which will ensure the protection of the chalk downland and surrounding countryside for everyone to enjoy. Portsdown Hill is a chalk escarpment 120 metres high. It is an excellent vantage point with spectacular views across the sea to the Isle of Wight. But it is much more than just a view.
What was the purpose of Fort Widley in Portsmouth?
A Royal Commission Fort c1860, intended to protect Portsmouth from attack from the rear. It is laid out in a massive polygonal trace plan, designed by Captain William Crossman of the Royal Engineers, surrounded on three sides by a dry moat with scarp and counterscarp in red brick with flint facings.
Who was Prime Minister when Fort Widley was built?
Then Prime Minister, Lord Henry Palmerston, called for a review of the defences of Portsmouth. Fort Widley was part of “Palmerston’s Folly” – a civil defence across Portsdown Hill built in 1861 to defend the city from sea and land attack. The Victorian fort has had numerous reported sightings of ghosts over its 140-year history.
When did Fort Widley become a civil control centre?
In 1952 the fort became home to a bomb disposal squadron and a year later an emergency civil control centre for Portsmouth was constructed in the fort’s magazine. The fort was leased to Portsmouth City Council (then the Portsmouth Corporation) in 1961 and was sold outright to the council in 1972.
Where is the Widley area of Portsmouth located?
/ 50.85683; -1.04806 Widley is an area of the Greater Portsmouth conurbation in the South East of England near Waterlooville and Purbrook. It is on the dip slope of the South Downs just north of the ridge called Portsdown Hill . Widley is served by the A3 (T), trunk road which runs from Portsmouth to London.
