Description

ALLHALLOWS

1797/0/10012 Slough Fort
12-NOV-09

GV II*
Royal Commission fort of 1867, major redevelopment and extension 1889-91. Further modifications during first two decades of C20.

MATERIALS: Kentish ragstone and brick with granite dressings. Brick and/or concrete for armament, range finding and control post positions.

PLAN: D-shaped plan with curved façade facing north to the coast surrounding an open stone-flagged parade. Ground floor and flat roof above. Ground floor: north range of seven casemates. South range: chambers flanking central fort entrance passage. Two stair turrets at south-east and south-west corners providing roof access. Roof level: north range with remnants of infantry fire step and access stairs of 1867; also (from west to east) post-1892 modified quick-firing gun emplacement with ammunition lockers and possible gun shelter to south; range finder position associated with wing batteries of 1889-91; further modified quick-firing gun emplacement (also post-1892). World War I Battery Command Post. South range: four parallel north-south walls of unknown function.

EXTERIOR: Principal elevation to south: rusticated Kentish ragstone with fine granite dressings to entrance gate. Sandstone lintels to windows and copings to parapet. Central projecting bay with pairs of windows flanking the central gate. Recessed bays to west and east with paired windows, further recessed bays to extreme west and east with single window and access doors to former ammunition stores. Infantry loopholes throughout. North elevation masked by earthwork of 1889-91. Internal (north) elevation of south range: stock brick in mainly English bond; gauged flat brick arches over windows (some now altered). South elevation of north range: combination of brick and iron arches with pillars to casemates reflecting late-C19 modifications. Original metal plated fort gates flanked by pulleys for raising former drawbridge.

INTERIOR: Ground floor, north range: seven casemates without embrasures (blocked 1889-91). Spiral stone staircases.

HISTORY: Built as a consequence of the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defences of the United Kingdom in response to a perceived French threat. Positioned to link the Medway defences with other new forts in the Thames Estuary. Modified and extended in 1889-91 with the addition of two wing batteries each accommodating two 'disappearing' guns. Further modifications to the armaments in the early-C20 and the erection of a Battery Command Post on the fort roof during World War I to operate in conjunction with a Port War Signal Station to the east of Slough Fort. Army withdrew 1920 and fort sold 1929 when used to house a small zoo. Early 1960s change of use to stables. Modern stable buildings and modifications are not of special interest. Note: The listing relates to the main D-shaped fort only. The external earthwork defences, wing batteries, the well protecting wall and the probable gun detachment shelter are protected by scheduled monument status (reference SM 36202).

SOURCES:
Gulvin, K R, Medway Forts, (2000) pp16-17
Saunders, A & Smith, V, Kent's Defence Heritage. (2001 - Kent County Council & English Heritage)
Palmerston Forts Society website: http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk

MAPS AND PLANS:
WO78/4532, 24th August 1892 (National Archives)
160/97, 16th June 1897 (National Archives)
WO/78/4431, 1919 (National Archives)
2nd edition Ordnance Survey map (25": 1 mile) 1898, v/15
Ordnance Survey map (25": 1 mile) 1908, v/15

ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
National Monuments Record no. TQ87NW14 (unique identifier 418721)
Kent Sites and Monuments Record no. TQ87NW14 ; KE3201
Armament returns and contemporary fort reports (National Archives)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: Slough Fort is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
* Embodies both technological developments in armaments and coastal defence during the late-C19 to early-C20 as well as the changing views of the perceived defensive need on the north Kent coast at this time.
* It is a well preserved and relatively intact structure which is unusual in both its original design and subsequent development, and is of more than special interest.

Reasons for Listing

Slough Fort is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
* Embodies both technological developments in armaments and coastal defence during the late-C19 to early-C20 as well as the changing views of the perceived defensive need on the north Kent coast at this time.
* It is a well preserved and relatively intact structure which is unusual in both its original design and subsequent development, and is of more than special interest.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Slough Fort at Wikipedia
• Slough Fort official website
• Wikidata Q7541480

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.

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