Building MPM580 - FORT SOUTHWICK, THAT PART IN PORTSMOUTH CIVIL PARISH

Part of a ring of forts known as 'Palmerston's follies', built c1860 to protect the town of Portsmouth, it's dockyard and Harbour, from a French invasion.

Fort Southwick formed part of a ring of forts known as 'Palmerston's follies' which were built c1860 to protect the town of Portsmouth, it's dockyard and Harbour, from a French invasion. Southwick was one of six forts positioned along the ridge of Portsdown Hill. Five of the Portsdown forts survive; Fareham, Nelson, Southwick, Widley and Purbrook. Additional forts, most of which survive, were located in Gosport and the Solent.

A test pit on the firing step on the face of the north rampart excavated in 1997 revealed part of a land-drain, which would have been used to drain rainwater from the earthen ramparts. This would have been one of many such features performing the same function around the fort.

Hampshire County Council, 1998, Archaeology in Hampshire Annual Report for 1997 (Bibliographic reference). SPM201.