Since its closure in 1956, Beacon Hill Battery has been subject to vandalism, neglect and degradation almost resulting in the loss of this important site.
Fortunately, since 2018, a local couple and a small band of dedicated volunteers have been clearing debris, litter and 50+ years of growth to reveal the secrets that have remained hidden for almost two generations.
The following photos show the progress of the clearance so far.
1890 Guardhouse
The 1890 guardhouse was disappearing under almost a meter of ivy
Guardhouse and parade ground seen from steps to the 1901 and 1940 gun emplacement.
1901 crew shelter & magazine
A2 crew shelter. A lot of the ivy had already been removed before the first photo was taken.
Entrance to A2 crew shelter (left) and magazine (ahead). 2008 and 2024.
Rear entrance to A2 crew shelter. This would have led to the gun emplacement above in 1901 and again in 1940.
Looking from the parade ground towards the original main entrance and the Battery Observation Post (BOP) on the left.
Steps leading up to the the remains of the 1901 emplacement, rear of the 1940 emplacement and the WWII pillbox.
Type 22 pillbox
Entrance to the Type 22 pillbox above A2 magazine. It was blocked up post 1956 to help prevent vandalism.
4.7 inch gun emplacement
The unaltered 4.7 inch gun emplacement from 1890. Known locally as the ‘whispering pin’.
Original 1890 gun emplacement for 4.7 inch breech loader. The ‘ready lockers’ would have stored projectiles and cartridges brought up from the magazine beneath.
Whispering Pin
Holdfast bolts on one of the 4.7 inch gun emplacements, the only unaltered gun emplacement from the original battery. This is our famous ‘whispering pin’. Stand with one foot either side of the white pin, look out to sea and speak to hear an unusual acoustic phenomena.
Battery Observation Post
The brick structure in the foreground is a mystery and it’s use is unknown at this time.
View from the top floor.
6 inch gun emplacement & crew shelter
6 inch Breech Loader emplacement built in 1904 over the original 6 inch disappearing gun position. The concrete gun house was added in WWII to protect against enemy aircraft.
Crew shelter for one of the 6 inch breech Loaders. The blast wall was added during WWII.
Artillery store
1890 artillery store. A sunken building used for storing parts and tools relating to the guns. The sunken yard was covered with a corrugated iron roof in 1904.
WWII gun store
WWII gun store. 2008 and 2024.
6 inch gun emplacement & crew shelter
6 inch breech loader crew shelter.
WWII concrete blast wall & roof fitted to the earlier 1904 gun emplacement. The battery observation post of the Cornwallis Battery can be seen behind the crew shelter.
Main magazine
Entrance to the main magazine, storage area for the 6 inch and 10 inch disappearing guns installed in 1890.
Looking towards the 10 inch gun emplacement. The steps lead up the the top of the shell/cartridge lift.
Corner of the 10 inch gun emplacement showing the top of the shell/cartridge lift on the left.
1890 engine room
Entrance to the engineering tunnel/engine room. The steps on the right lead up to the WWII Spigot Mortar emplacement.
The Oil tank and water tank can be seen either side of the entrance.
WWII engine room
The two exhaust hoods can be seen on the right of the building.
The three tone camouflage render can clearly be seen in both shots, along with original Crittal window frames.
Oil store
The concrete blocks would have supported the tanks. One of the original sliding doors can be seen leaning against the rear wall on the right.