Eastbourne Redoubt

Eastbourne Redoubt is a circular fortification on the English coast featuring thick brick walls and granite facing surrounding a central parade ground. Inside, 24 vaulted chambers and an upper tier with eleven gun positions allowed defenders to monitor the shoreline.

Built in 1805 when Britain feared French invasion under Napoleon, this fort was one of many defences hastily constructed along the coast. It served as a military outpost for over two centuries before becoming a museum preserving that era of coastal protection.

The fort shows how coastal defence shaped local identity for generations, with objects telling stories of anxiety about invasion and protection of home. Visitors today walk through spaces where people once gathered to guard their community.

The fort welcomes visitors during warmer months and offers free access to explore the gun platforms and interior chambers. Wear comfortable shoes since stairs and narrow passages wind through the structure, and ground levels can be uneven.

Millions of bricks were transported by barge from London to build this fort in just months, an enormous logistical feat for the time. This massive construction effort reveals how seriously Britain took the invasion threat and how quickly the nation could mobilize resources.

Location: Eastbourne

Address: Royal Parade, Eastbourne BN22 7AQ

Website: https://eastbourneredoubt.com

GPS coordinates: 50.77397,0.30044

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43