Fort Rowner

Fort Rowner is a fortified military structure in Gosport with a central parade ground surrounded by barrack casemates, stone chambers built to withstand artillery fire. Above these lie the Haxo Casemates, positioned to house guns and provide defensive firepower across the landscape.

The fort was built between 1858 and 1862 under architect William Crossman's direction as part of a defensive line to protect Portsmouth harbor from attacks by land. It employed the most advanced fortification techniques of the time to achieve this goal.

The fort reflects Victorian military construction methods, with underground vaulted passages and specially designed defensive structures that you can still walk through today. These engineering choices shaped how soldiers once moved and worked within the walls.

The fort is located within the HMS Sultan Naval Base and opens to visitors only during Heritage Open Days when guided tours are offered. These tours allow you to explore the historical structures and understand the layout of the site.

A herd of goats grazes on the grassy ramparts to maintain the vegetation and has become a notable feature of the site. This unexpected addition adds character to your visit in a way you would not expect from a military fort.

Location: Gosport

Inception: 1858

Part of: HMS Sultan

GPS coordinates: 50.80662,-1.15828

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03