What will you discover?
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Explore Landguard Fort
Step across the drawbridge into Landguard Fort for a truly compelling adventure. Room by room, tunnel by tunnel, open door after open door… explore a lost-in-time world which rewards curiosity and drives you on towards new discoveries – a place where snapshots of the past connect seamlessly to share an impressively bigger picture.
Guides, trails, interactive experiences & more
From puzzling out the maze of rooms to following in forgotten footsteps down intriguing passageways, stepping up to panoramic views of Harwich Haven and estuaries or taking in all the informative displays and exhibits, there’s so much to explore at the Fort.
Don’t want to miss anything? Our free, easy-to-use audio guide not only leads the way, but really brings the place to life. Volunteer-led guided tours are also available (pre-booking recommended). And if you’re visiting during the school holidays with younger visitors, be sure to ask about our special seasonal children’s trails – always great fun and a firm family favourite!
Ready… Aim… Fire!
Take the free audio guide and you won’t just be able to see Victorian artillery firepower – you’ll be able to hear it too! Find yourself dwarfed by the replica 12.5 inch RML gun in its casemate – giants which used over 70 kgs of gunpowder to fire each shell!
Get up close and personal with our WWI and WWII infantry and anti-aircraft weapons too.
About the Giant Gun
Get a glimpse of a soldier’s life
What was day-to-day living like for troops in Landguard’s barrack rooms? What did the soldiers eat? How comfortable were their beds?
Take a look at what life was like for the men in the fort from 17th century through the Victorian era to the 20th century’s two world wars and beyond.
Dare to venture down the tunnels
How could all the gunpowder and live shells be stored safely away from any sparks, flames or live fire?
Discover the Fort’s darkest secrets… Explore the dimly lit tunnels and long lighting passageways which lead to the heavily protected ‘magazines’- the racks where live ammunition was once stored. You don’t need to be on one of our ghost tours to feel just a little spooked!
Share chilling secret reminders of Cold War days
In the mid-20th century Soviet attack from the sea was considered a credible threat and the Fort had an important role to play… Step into the secret control room where the fort personnel would have co-ordinated the defence of the East Coast and imagine the tense moments witnessed here.
Landguard Fort has such a long, complex and fascinating history, so don’t miss your chance to watch our illuminating free history video film during your visit.
Or why not take a look at our timeline now?
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.
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.
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.
Landguard Voices
Pick up the phone and listen in to real life recordings of soldiers who served at Landguard Fort in World War II and during the Cold War period. Hear from their very own lips explanations and memories shared with stories of life in the barracks, in the Operation Room and behind their guns.
Our online Landguard Voices image gallery sets the scene and introduces some of the revered veteran characters.
Colourful re-enactment events
Smart uniforms… the sound of marching feet on the inner parade… barrack room banter.. the loud crack and distinctive smell of smoke from musket rifle fire… Live history re-enactments are totally captivating and leave a lasting impression.
Home to some of the biggest re-enactments in the region, Landguard Fort looks forward to annual WWII/ Homeguard and ‘Greenjackets‘ (95th Rifles – 19th century infantry rifle regiment) live history events.
Upcoming Events WWII Event Gallery 95th Rifles GalleryRoof top tours & more
However and whenever you choose to visit Landguard Fort, be sure to bring your binoculars! Visitors can access two floors (although there’s plenty accessible to take in on the ground floor alone!) and the views out over the Haven and Port of Felixstowe are awesome.
Guided tours are very popular, with a variety of ‘explore more’ and ‘experience’ tours also on offer subject to dates and availability. Be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Find out more
Ghostly goings-on
A ghostly musketeer wandering the Holland Bastion… the chilling mutterings of a Portuguese lady forever seeking her lost handkerchief… Landguard Fort has seen many characters in its time, but some have allegedly never quite left!
Will you dare to join a ‘Wandering Spirits’ ghost tour of the Fort (not for the faint-hearted, regularly available off season only)? Or why not bring the family along all dressed up for some super-fun spooky Halloween capers? Our ticketed Halloween events are hugely popular!
Ghost Tours Upcoming Events Halloween GalleryDiscover even more military and maritime Heritage across Landguard
Wherever your journey takes you on the Landguard Peninsula, you’ll find unexpected traces of the past to stop you in your tracks.
