Shornemead Fort

Shornemead Fort was built during the 1860s as an artillery fort to guard the entrance to the Thames from seaborne attack.

This was the third fort to be built on the site since the 18th Century but due to the marshy ground they stood on subsidence was always an issue.

While in service the fort was equipped with a variety of large calibre guns but the subsidence meant the fort was unsafe to fire them and the fort was disarmed in the early 20th Century.

During World War Two a embarkation hard was constructed on the riverside below the fort to support the D-Day operation. The fort subsequently was reduced to care and maintenance status in November 1943 before the battery was deactivated in 1945.

The fort was abandoned after World War Two and during the 1960s was demolished as part of a training exercise by the Army Demolition School of the Royal Engineers.

All that remains are the front of the casemates, and the underground magazines and lighting passage which are flooded.