23/10/2018

Jersey fortifications - Elizabeth Castle

Elizabeth Castle replaced Mont Orgueil as the principle defence of Jersey from the reign of Elizabeth I to Victoria, and is another site that must be visited (wiki link), It's on an island and can only be approached on foot at low tide or an amphibious vehicle at other times.


Approaching the castle across the causeway.


Impressive walls of the outer ward, which encompasses all the land above high water.




The keep


The parade ground and barracks which contain exhibits and the history of the castle.


A couple of models showing the development of the castle.




linked by a mole there is a rocky outcrop with the hermitage of St Helier and a chapel. It gives a good view back to the south side of the castle.


Some of the exhibits, a Pak 38 and a naval 88mm


A fortress gun.


The view from the keep, as usual converted by the Germans into an observation post.


The parade grounds and barracks. Beyond is St Helier harbour

Yet more German modifications


An impressive line of carronades.


In the reign of Queen Victoria a new fortification, Fort Regent was built above St Helier. Although it's been converted into a leisure complex, it has kept all the original features and well worth a visit. I didn't take any pictures as it was raining heavily when we visited.


1 comment:

Peter Douglas said...

Great photos, thanks for posting. In the 80s, I sailed into St Helier with my dad. I don't know if I went in to this Fort, but it dominates the harbour. The Channel Island Forts are a wonderful mosaic of different fortifications over time. I remember one small Italian bastion with a WW2 German flak mounting on top.
Cheers, Peter