Crownhill Fort
Crownhill Fort is one of ten Forts and Batteries built in the 1860s to defend Plymouth’s naval base from a French attack.
Unlike many of its contemporaries Crownhill Fort was used by the military until 1985, as a training venue in the latter part of the 19th century and as a recruitment and mobilisation depot in the First World War. In the 1980s Crownhill Fort was occupied by 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers who provided logistical support to the Falklands Campaign. Once this conflict came to an end Crownhill Fort was declared surplus to requirements and over a century of military usage came to an end in 1986. At this point the Fort faced an uncertain future and risked falling in to disrepair or suffering unsympathetic alteration.
The Landmark Trust acquired Crownhill Fort in 1987 and have undertaken major work to restore the site to its late Victorian layout. An apartment in the former Officers Quarters is available to let for holidays and many of the former military buildings are let to a community of small businesses thus providing a source of income to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance.
Admission & prices
Admission to public open days costs £5 for adults and £3 for children. Car parking (£2.50 per vehicle) is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Group visits start from £120. This includes up to three hours with a dedicated tour guide and a cannon firing at the end of your visit.
Crownhill Fort is generally open to the public on specific dates throughout the year, primarily during events and Open Days. It is not open every day of the week, but it does have events on specific days that ticket holders can attend. For a full list of events and opening times, it's best to check the Crownhill Fort website or their Facebook page.
Provisional event dates for 2025 events at Crownhill Fort:
Saturday 29th March 10am - join a guided tour
Monday 21st April 10am - grounds/museums open
Thursday 8th May 6pm - commemoration of VE day
Thursday 12th June 6pm - firing of the Moncrieff Disappearing Gun
Friday 18th July 12pm - grounds/museums open
Thursday 14th August 4pm - grounds/museums open
Thursday 4th September 6pm - firing of the Caponier Guns
Saturday 27th September TBC - Plymouth History Festival event
Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd October 6.30pm - Bat walks
Friday 10th October, Crownhill Fort After Dark
Contact the Fort Office on 01752 793754 or email crownhill@landmarktrust.org.uk
For reservations of the holiday accommodation please contact The Landmark Trust Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or via email at booking@landmarktrust.org.uk.