Fort Widley

During the Victorian period Fort Widley and the other Portsdown Forts were used to accommodate various infantry units in the barracks. For example, in 1875 the 30th Regiment of foot were quartered there. By 1886 the South Lancashire Regiment was stationed there. In First World War it was used as a transit depot. During the Second World War it was modified to provide more accommodation. In 1990 the Fort was taken into use as an activity centre for the Peter Ashley charity, providing a number of activities, including an equestrian centre. In September 2010 the fort was used to host a search and rescue exercise based around a simulated earthquake. Both the Fort and a gun in front of it have…

Fort Widley was a polygonal Fort designed by William Crossman, an officer of the Royal Engineers, who was part of the staff of the Inspector General of Fortifications at the War Office. The fort was built up from chalk, with red brick and local flint being used for buildings and revetment to the large dry ditch which was also dug at the same time. Armament was fitted into three different categories - the main armament which was mounted on a semi-circular rampart, high angle armament provided by 13-inch mortars, mounted in two protected mortar batteries and close range armament, mounted in one full and two demi-caponiers. Barracks accommodation was also provided for both officers and other…