Fort Grey

Fort Grey stands as a white-painted Martello tower on a tidal islet in Rocquaine Bay, connected to the mainland by a raised causeway and featuring granite construction with distinctive sloping walls characteristic of early 19th-century coastal defense architecture.

Built in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars under Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Doyle's coastal defense program, the fort replaced an earlier castle called Château de Rocquaine and was later occupied by German forces during World War II who added concrete elements and used it as an anti-aircraft battery.

The fort holds deep significance in Guernsey's maritime heritage, serving as a symbol of the island's strategic importance and defensive capabilities while also featuring in local folklore as a place associated with ancient gatherings and maritime superstitions.

The fort operates as a shipwreck museum open to the public year-round, accessible via causeway at low tide, offering educational displays about coastal defense history and maritime archaeology with minimal facilities requiring visitors to bring their own refreshments.

Known locally as the 'Cup and Saucer' due to its distinctive silhouette, Fort Grey houses an underground magazine and features original brick vaulting with a trapdoor system that once provided secure ammunition storage during its active military period.

Location: Saint Peter's

GPS coordinates: 49.43333,-2.65000

Latest update: July 25, 2025 20:35