Description

MILITARY ROAD
1.
5232
Fort Rowner
SU 50 SE 1/79
II
2.
Circa 1860. One of a series of polygonal fortresses; virtually identical with Forts
Brockhurst and Grange (which lie on either side along the defence line).
A symmetrical 6-sided polygon, the 2 outer lines making a very obtuse angle, at which
point a caponier (with rifle loops above triple gun casemates) projects into the moat,
facing in each direction. The shoulders (north and south-west angles) have caponiers
covering each flank. The gorge starts from the flanks as lower barrack blocks, but
continues as a wall, which crosses the moat of the keep. From a central position
2 ramps lead to the shoulders.
The general section of the main battery comprises a covered way, walled water-filled
moat (of more than 100 ft width) and earthen rampart supported at the rear by storage
casemates. The top of the rampart has open gun emplacements with intermediate sunken
and vaulted expense magazines. The section through the flank batteries have Haxo case-
mates above a series of ground level casemates, with the loopholes protected by outer
earthworks (partly eroded).
The centre of the gorge is marked by a circular 'keep of last resort', surrounded by a
moat. The outer part has casemates with small caponiers (with rifle loops only) pro-
jecting into the moat. The inner part is a 2-storeyed barracks, facing a circular
courtyard. A roadway passes along the axis of the keep (and of the fort), crossing the
moats via drawbridges, having on each face a granite round-arched portal. The keep is
surmounted by a high earthwork, which carried open-gun emplacements, allowing for fire
across the parade.
The structure of the fort is generally in red brickwork, with granite surrounds to the
main openings. There are many surviving details (iron railings, steps, chimneys etc),
the whole structure being virtually intact, with only a few losses and some erosion of
the earthworks. There are some brick and timber butments, of recent date, within the
parade.

Listing NGR: SU5940401178

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Fort Rowner at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5471950

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
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  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)