Virtual Tour

Several generations of Portsmouth people have given the nickname "Palmerston's Folly" to the Victorian forts on Portsdown Hill. Spithead Shoals, which rise like artificial island out at sea are sometimes included in this comment. The forts on the crest of the hill overlooking the town and harbour face inland, and to some people look the wrong way. Yet the development of new armaments plus the perceived threat of invasion, Prime Minster Lord Henry Palmerston, commissioned a revue and implementation to strengthen Portsmouth and the surrounding area. If there was an attack on Portsmouth from the North, none of the existing fortifications would be able to protect the dockyard and harbour against bombardment from Portsdown Hill. Neither Hilsea Lines, nor the newly-proposed line of forts between Gomer and Elson on the Gosport peninsula would be far enough advanced

Fort Purbrook, completed in 1870, was occupied by the Army until 1925. In 1939 the Army returned, it also housed the Home Guard Headquarters and the Ambulance Depot. The Navy used it for radar in 1947, and a Navigational School until 1968.

360 degree virtual tour of Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley coming soon!