Slough Fort, Victorian coastal fort in Allhallows, England
Slough Fort is a D-shaped military fortification in Allhallows built with seven gun casemates positioned to cover the river approach and key waterways. The structure features stone walls, wing batteries, and interconnected interior spaces that served different military functions.
The fort was built in 1867 when England feared a French invasion and needed to protect the Thames estuary quickly. After serving as an active defense position for over 50 years, it was decommissioned in 1920 and has been protected as a listed building since.
The fort shows visitors how Victorian military engineers built coastal defenses and shaped the landscape around the Thames estuary. Walking through its rooms reveals how soldiers lived and worked during different periods of the 1800s and early 1900s.
Visitors can explore the fort on their own or join guided tours to learn about the various rooms and their former military uses. Wear sturdy footwear since the stone floors are uneven and damp conditions are common in the casemates and underground passages.
The fort now operates as a research center for paranormal investigations, attracting people interested in exploring its long military past. This unexpected use has given the location a new dimension for visitors curious about history and mystery.
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