Hatherwood Battery

Hatherwood Battery is a concrete and earth fortification located east of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight, overlooking the coastal waters. The site contains multiple gun emplacements arranged in distinct groups positioned to command the sea approaches below the cliffs.

The battery was built between 1865 and 1869 as part of the Palmerston Forts network designed to defend against potential French naval attacks. It formed one of several coastal positions constructed during this period to protect southern England's waters.

The battery displays Victorian military thinking through its layout designed to work together with Needles Battery for coordinated defense. Walking around the site, you can still see where gun emplacements once stood and how they controlled the sea approaches.

The site is open to visitors, but you should take care due to ongoing cliff erosion and deterioration of the structures, and wear sturdy footwear. The best time to visit is during dry conditions when the ground is more stable and views across the water remain clear.

The battery once mounted seven guns arranged in three separate groups: two 9-inch rifled muzzle-loaders on each flank and three 7-inch rifled breech-loaders at the center. This arrangement was typical of military thinking at the time, though it created challenges for maintaining and operating the weapons in harsh coastal conditions.