Golden Hill Fort
Encyclopedia
Golden Hill Fort was a defensible barracks built as part of the Palmerston
defences by the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
to provide manpower to man the defences at the western end of the Isle of Wight
, England
. The Fort is a local landmark which is in a very prominent position overlooking much of the land looking south towards Afton Down
. Whilst operational, the area was kept clear of vegetation to allow views out to the Solent
. The name Golden Hill refers not to the spectacular golden display of gorse but to an historic landowner named Gauden. The garrison for the nearby Hatherwood Battery
was held at the fort.
The building, which is a Grade 1 Listed Building, is now in private ownership and not open to the public. It was derelict and had not been used for many years, passing through numerous owners. Planning consent was granted in 2003 for conversion to residential use, with the listed building consent updated in 2007. Golden Hill Fort is currently being converted into 18 luxury houses by Golden Hill Homes Ltd. The developers are working closely with English Heritage, to restore the Fort to its former glory. The Fort had half a page of editorial coverage in the Sunday Telegraph on 12th of May 2008, detailing the project. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3361282/Golden-Hill-Fort-On-the-Isle-of-Wight-a-mans-home-can-be-his-fortress.html
The surrounding land is open to the public. It is managed as a country park
by the Isle of Wight Council
, and is an open grassland
with bridleways, viewpoints and a small car park.
The soil types on which it stands are complex and support a wide range of plants, including the chalk loving yellow-wort and dwarf thistle, dyer’s greenweed, a feature of neutral soils and gorse which is associated with more acid soils. These attract a good range of butterflies. The habitats vary and there is a transition between open grassland, scrub and woodland.
"Golden Hill Fort" was also a memorable place used for large raves and organised parties starting from the early 1990s.
PUBLISHED HISTORY OF GOLDEN HILL FORT:
Pages 34 to 36 inclusive of The Needles Defences co-authored by Anthony Cantwell and Peter Sprack in 1986, give a brief history of Golden Hill Fort, with a line drawing, and plans of Golden Hill Fort when it was in use by the Military.
SOLENT PAPERS NUMBER TWO
The Needles Defences 1525 - 1956
by Anthony Cantwell MA and Peter Sprack
ISBN 1 870113 01 2 An educational publication of the Palmerston Forts Society, Fort Nelson, Fareham, Hants PO17 6AN
Copyright A R Cantwell and Peter Sprack 1986
Sources:
Royal Engineers’ Corps Library, Chatham
Letter books, Nos 63-79, Portsmouth Division
Public Record Office, Kew, Surrey
ZHC 1/2577 Report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to consider the defence of the United Kingdom, 1860
ZHC/3287 Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the construction, condition and cost of the fortifications erected or in course of erection, under 30/31 Victorian and previous statutes, 1869
Plans:
Works 43/258-268,
WO78/2985
WO78/3740
WO78/2662
Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, KG, GCB, PC , known popularly as Lord Palmerston, was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister in the mid-19th century...
defences by the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
In 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
to provide manpower to man the defences at the western end of the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The Fort is a local landmark which is in a very prominent position overlooking much of the land looking south towards Afton Down
Afton Down
Afton Down is a hill near the village of Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.It was the site of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, where the Guinness Book of Records estimates 600,000 to 700,000, and possibly 800,000 people, flocked to see the musical talents of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Free, The Who,...
. Whilst operational, the area was kept clear of vegetation to allow views out to the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
. The name Golden Hill refers not to the spectacular golden display of gorse but to an historic landowner named Gauden. The garrison for the nearby Hatherwood Battery
Hatherwood Battery
Hatherwood Battery is a battery located to the east of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight. It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion. Construction of the battery began in 1865 and was complete by 1869...
was held at the fort.
The building, which is a Grade 1 Listed Building, is now in private ownership and not open to the public. It was derelict and had not been used for many years, passing through numerous owners. Planning consent was granted in 2003 for conversion to residential use, with the listed building consent updated in 2007. Golden Hill Fort is currently being converted into 18 luxury houses by Golden Hill Homes Ltd. The developers are working closely with English Heritage, to restore the Fort to its former glory. The Fort had half a page of editorial coverage in the Sunday Telegraph on 12th of May 2008, detailing the project. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3361282/Golden-Hill-Fort-On-the-Isle-of-Wight-a-mans-home-can-be-his-fortress.html
The surrounding land is open to the public. It is managed as a country park
Country park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
by the Isle of Wight Council
Isle of Wight Council
The Isle of Wight Council is a local council. It is a unitary authority covering the Isle of Wight, South East England. It is currently made up of 40 seats, with the Conservatives as ruling party with 24 councillors at the latest local election in June 2009....
, and is an open grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
with bridleways, viewpoints and a small car park.
The soil types on which it stands are complex and support a wide range of plants, including the chalk loving yellow-wort and dwarf thistle, dyer’s greenweed, a feature of neutral soils and gorse which is associated with more acid soils. These attract a good range of butterflies. The habitats vary and there is a transition between open grassland, scrub and woodland.
"Golden Hill Fort" was also a memorable place used for large raves and organised parties starting from the early 1990s.
PUBLISHED HISTORY OF GOLDEN HILL FORT:
Pages 34 to 36 inclusive of The Needles Defences co-authored by Anthony Cantwell and Peter Sprack in 1986, give a brief history of Golden Hill Fort, with a line drawing, and plans of Golden Hill Fort when it was in use by the Military.
SOLENT PAPERS NUMBER TWO
The Needles Defences 1525 - 1956
by Anthony Cantwell MA and Peter Sprack
ISBN 1 870113 01 2 An educational publication of the Palmerston Forts Society, Fort Nelson, Fareham, Hants PO17 6AN
Copyright A R Cantwell and Peter Sprack 1986
Sources:
Royal Engineers’ Corps Library, Chatham
Letter books, Nos 63-79, Portsmouth Division
Public Record Office, Kew, Surrey
ZHC 1/2577 Report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to consider the defence of the United Kingdom, 1860
ZHC/3287 Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the construction, condition and cost of the fortifications erected or in course of erection, under 30/31 Victorian and previous statutes, 1869
Plans:
Works 43/258-268,
WO78/2985
WO78/3740
WO78/2662