Fort Grey, Guernsey, United Kingdom

Fort Grey is a Martello tower located on a rock in Rocquaine Bay. It was previously the site of local witches' Sabbaths. The existing fort, with its white tower was originally built as a defence by the British in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars, it was named after Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey, who was Governor of Guernsey from 1797 to 1807.

The Fort Grey tower, like the other two Guernsey Martello towers, Fort Saumarez and Fort Hommet, was intended as a keep for the battery in which it was placed. The Guernsey Martellos are smaller than the British towers, with the Fort Saumarez and Fort Hommet towers being smaller than the Fort Grey tower. Each mounted a 24-pounder carronade on the roof to protect the battery. Fort Saumarez and Fort Hommet also have exterior staircases up to the second floor. The War Office in London sold Fort Grey to the States of Guernsey in 1891 for £185.

During the Occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, the Germans occupied the fort, as they did most of the other fortifications in Guernsey. More recently Fort Grey has been adapted for other more peaceful uses and now operates as a local shipwreck museum, housing a number of items of marine salvage from famous wrecks, including the MV Prosperity and Elwood Mead. The items also include a cannon from HMS Boreas that points towards the nearby Hanois rocks where Boreas sank in 1807 with the loss of her captain, at least half her crew, and possibly the captain's wife.

References:

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User Reviews

Heddy Bovell (16 months ago)
Very interesting details of shipwrecks around the channel islands coast in this biju museum

Erika Joó (16 months ago)
Didn't have any money with me, so that couldn't come in. I had no idea to should pay for entering...

Ian Chamberlain (2 years ago)
16.08.2022 Great museum with lots of history and information and film footage of local shipwrecks.It is surprising how many wrecks there are in the area until you see the granite rocks that would destroy any ship that strayed too close.Well worth a visit.Pay cash at the kiosk or by card at the Guernsey Pearl.

RevFrL B (2 years ago)
Brilliant. Stunning views. Entry £4.00 adults. Cash on the door otherwise cards in Guernsey Pearl.

Bored Muzza (2 years ago)
Brilliant repurposing of an historic building. Not too large, so the kids won't get bored. Well worth a visit.

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