Staddon Fort...... was the principal land fort of these defences and The Staddon is on the highest point. It was completed in 1869 and was intended to be armed with 30 guns and barracks for 250 men, although this number of guns was never deployed. The barracks and main Staddon magazine have been adapted for other uses, but Heights Defences Fort much of the fort is now empty and remains in excellent condition.

The sites built on this headland belong to the Staddon Heights MAP KEY defences of the 1860s. They face both landward and seaward. - South West Coastpath Staddon Heights overlooks the old part of the city, the approach - Military Road i - Ditch channel and the harbours of Sutton Pool and the Cattewater. i - Other Interpretation Panels The bulk of the defences here faced landward and were intended to protect these areas from an enemy invasion. Target Butts The high buttressed wall of the target butts is about 300m Much of this land is in private ownership or MoD long and still a prominent local landmark. The northern estate. Please stick to the South West coastpath. half was built for the army between 1860-70 for practise Brownhill battery...... was built to cover the valley below when it was converting to and the clearance area extending as With fears that the enemy may land at nearby Watching your back high velocity rifl es. The southern half was built for far as Down Thomas. It was completed in 1869 and had space for beaches, or around Newton and Noss on the the Royal Marines between 1872-1894. 14 guns, 4 bomb proof chambers and an open gorge. As with the Yealm and attack from behind, two forts and three batteries were built facing other sites, there were various gun changes but by 1879 it was used landward. They were all linked by a military road and a series of ditches, slopes to store gun cotton for and embankments. Together use in submarine mines. they formed an independent and Target The battery was probably formidable defensive system. The Staddon Heights 1908 Butts Staddon Heights defences are Barrage disused by World War nationally important and survive Balloon I. It is now overgrown virtually complete. They help Site although some of the us to understand more about YOU ARE buildings are used for Victorian military fortifi cation. HERE Brownhill animal shelters and a No public Battery riding paddock is in the access interior. Defence of the Realm In the mid 19th Century, the British government Aerial view showing Brownhill became increasingly concerned about the threat Battery and Fort Bovisand in 1946. of French naval attack. Military technology was advancing rapidly. The Royal Commission on the Defences of the was set up in 1859. It found Frobisher Battery that the existing shore-based defences would be no match for the new iron-clad fast Watch House Watch House battery in use and now derelict Watch House battery (pictured below) with guns removed French fl eet, armed with more Battery Watch House accurate long range guns. The Aerial view showing Staddon Line defences Brake Battery ...was completed in 1901 and Commission recommended armed with two 6 inch breech a huge programme to fortify loading guns. It was built to with “a ring of fi re”. Barrage balloon cover the seaward approaches to As a result, 24 forts were built the Sound. At 352 feet above sea encircling Plymouth in two The World War II barrage balloon level, it was the highest battery rings, to protect from seaward Staddon site is a circle of 24 concrete of this type in the country. It and landward attacks. They Point Battery anchor points around a central consisted of gun emplacements, magazines and associated buildings – shelters, were planned and constructed i square block. It remains as the only guard house, artillery store, lamp room and remains largely complete. It during the 1860s at a cost of Fort known complete site in Plymouth. remained in action through World Wars I and II, when searchlights were fi tted. around £3,000,000. Frobisher battery Bovisand Barrage balloon

This panel has been produced by the South This panel is part of a series telling the story of the area – Explore Wembury. Panel design by: European Agricultural Panels and trails can be found along the coastal path around the Bay or by Fund for Rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit. Development: Europe visiting www.southdevonaonb.org.uk. The 630 mile Coast Path is the country’s luke tom.com www.southdevonaonb.org.uk investing in rural areas. longest National Trail and is a great way to explore South Devon AONB. If you would Historic photos courtesy of like more information on the visit www.southwestcoastpath.com www.cyber-heritage.co.uk