Lindsay Want
Spherical Buoyant Mine
Morse Code Communications
Hampden Bomber Engine
Borel Sea Plane
Don't Pick the Flowers
Collecting Flowers is Illegal
Plants and wildflowers are best enjoyed in their natural habitat .
Why Bunnies are the Reserve’s Best Friend
Meet Landguard Nature Reserve's bushy-tailed eco-warriors!
No Kite Flying
Kite-flying Disturbs Wildlife
Kites can be difficult to control on the coast and may disturb birds.
Short Sunderland Seaplane
No Camping
Tents & Camping Not Permitted
Camping negatively impacts sensitive flora and the ecosystem.
Military Ejector Seat
Fishing Restrictions
Seasonal Fishing Only
No fishing (seaward beach) to protect birdlife: 1 April - 30 Sept.
Respect the Cordons
Cordoned-off Areas
Physical barriers to protect nesting birds and their habitats.
Sandcastle Spectacular
Super-eco Sandcastles
Build away! Temporary sandcastles won't disturb wildlife habitats.
No Motor Vehicles
Mobility Scooters Permitted
Vehicles, mopeds, scooters not permitted on the Reserve.
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife-watching Adventures
From seabirds to seals, spot the incredible wildlife at Landguard.
No Drone Zone
Flying Drones is Not Permitted
Drones stress and disrupt wildlife and pose safety risks.
No Metal Detectors
No Metal Detecting or Digging
Applies to anywhere on the Nature Reserve, including the beach.
1543-88
Henry VIII’s Landguard Fort
Circular moated earthwork - 2 block houses - guns from Tower of London. Rebuilt (1588) in hexagonal form.
1625-28
Square Fort & Corner Bastions
Built of earth, faced with stout wood, designed by Simon Van Cranfeld. Charles II adds brick walling around fort (1666).
1667
The Dutch ‘Invasion’
First land battle of Royal Marines. 1,500 Dutch marines under Admiral de Ruyter raid fort. Captain Darell repels the assault.
1717-33
Brick Battery & Barracks
New brick fort and 2 storey barrack range (another storey added 1733) constructed to the south-west.
1744-53
Rebuilt in Stone-dressed Brick
By the Board of Ordnance. Existing battery incorporated into 2 main faces of the pentagonal design. Haven-side battery added by 1753.
Comma butterfly
With jagged, orange wings with brown spots, look out for the white 'comma'-shaped mark on its underside
Emperor Moth
One of the UK's largest moths. Males have bright orange hindwings. Females have peacock-like eyespots on their wings.
Common hover fly
Playing a crucial role in pollination, helping to maintain the health of various plant species.
Common Field Grasshopper
Found in many grassy habitats. Males rub their legs against their wings to create a mating "song"
Common Seal
A day out with the big guns
Bang! Ka-Boom! Bring out the big guns - Landguard Fort has all the historic military kit to get you totally fired up...
1779-83
A Significant Defended Camp
New earthworks, 2 further wing batteries with wet ditches (South & North Redoubts), plus square Redoubt to north east.
1871-80
Yellow Bricks & 7 Huge Guns
Remodeled with London bricks and gun casemate battery facing the river. Concrete parapet added to curtain walls.
1878
Submarine Mining Establishment
North-east of Fort, included test and observation rooms, plus (surviving) Ravelin Block.
1889-1918
Rapid Tech Advances
Left Battery ('disappearing' guns), Darell’s Battery, Fire Command Post erected. Main building now barracks and control hub.
1914-18
World War I
Royal Navy War Anchorage at Harwich Haven. Extensive land defences, anti-aircraft guns, and Port War Signal Station.
1939-42
Concrete Towers & More
Control and position-finding towers at Darell’s Battery, 3 searchlight and extra gun houses, shelters and stores built.
1939-45
World War II
Landguard vital to Dunkirk evacuation / Operation Overlord. Extra anti-aircraft defences. Fort is Fire Command HQ.
Meet the 95th Rifles
Colourful and explosive Napoleonic military re-enactment events at Landguard Fort
Blue China Loo
Dolls House
Searson’s Dairy Cart
Model Seaplane
Paddle Steamer Saloon Chair
Wiseman’s Handyvan
The Poisons Chest
HMS Beehive’s Story
All about our coastal forces’ most successful wartime base located at Landguard Felixstowe.
1945-1956
Defences on Stand-by
Defences downscaled, Landguard site and fort retained for training purposes through 1950s and into the mid-1960s.
1971
Landguard’s Military Use Ceases
Range of military relics left on site, including 4 concrete-set iron rings - final remains of Victorian practice gun battery emplacement.
1983
Bird Observatory Arrives
The Bird Observatory is set up in the disused military buildings of Right Battery, overlooking Landguard Nature Reserve.
