Fort Belan, 18th century coastal fort in Llandwrog, Wales
Fort Belan is a coastal fort at the southwestern end of the Menai Strait in Wales, featuring stone walls, fortified towers, and inner buildings that once housed troops. Today the restored structures serve as a holiday rental complex with six cottages accommodating up to 45 guests.
Thomas Wynn commissioned the fort in 1775 to defend Britain's coast during the American War of Independence. The installation was later abandoned from active military duty and repurposed in the 1820s when the Wynn family adapted it for private use.
The fortress transformed from military use into a private home when the Wynn family took it over and built a small harbor for their steam yacht. This shift shows how defensive structures became personal estates for wealthy families.
The fort sits on the coast and is best viewed in daylight to appreciate the outer walls and their setting. Visitors should plan ahead, as the site operates as private rental accommodation and access to different areas may be limited outside of guest hours.
This was the only purpose-built fort on the eastern side of the Atlantic created specifically in response to the American War of Independence. Its location on the Dinlle Peninsula made it a strategically important point in coastal defense of the period.
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