Fort Rowner
FORT ROWNER, MILITARY ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1233871
- Date first listed:
- 20-Apr-1983
- List Entry Name:
- Fort Rowner
- Statutory Address:
- FORT ROWNER, MILITARY ROAD
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Location
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Official list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1233871
- Date first listed:
- 20-Apr-1983
- List Entry Name:
- Fort Rowner
- Statutory Address 1:
- FORT ROWNER, MILITARY ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- FORT ROWNER, MILITARY ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Hampshire
- District:
- Gosport (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SU 59406 01122
Details
MILITARY ROAD 1. 5232 Fort Rowner SU 50 SE 1/79 II 2. Circa 1860. One of a series of polygonal fortresses; virtually identical with Forts Brockhurst and Grange (which lie on either side along the defence line). A symmetrical 6-sided polygon, the 2 outer lines making a very obtuse angle, at which point a caponier (with rifle loops above triple gun casemates) projects into the moat, facing in each direction. The shoulders (north and south-west angles) have caponiers covering each flank. The gorge starts from the flanks as lower barrack blocks, but continues as a wall, which crosses the moat of the keep. From a central position 2 ramps lead to the shoulders. The general section of the main battery comprises a covered way, walled water-filled moat (of more than 100 ft width) and earthen rampart supported at the rear by storage casemates. The top of the rampart has open gun emplacements with intermediate sunken and vaulted expense magazines. The section through the flank batteries have Haxo case- mates above a series of ground level casemates, with the loopholes protected by outer earthworks (partly eroded). The centre of the gorge is marked by a circular 'keep of last resort', surrounded by a moat. The outer part has casemates with small caponiers (with rifle loops only) pro- jecting into the moat. The inner part is a 2-storeyed barracks, facing a circular courtyard. A roadway passes along the axis of the keep (and of the fort), crossing the moats via drawbridges, having on each face a granite round-arched portal. The keep is surmounted by a high earthwork, which carried open-gun emplacements, allowing for fire across the parade. The structure of the fort is generally in red brickwork, with granite surrounds to the main openings. There are many surviving details (iron railings, steps, chimneys etc), the whole structure being virtually intact, with only a few losses and some erosion of the earthworks. There are some brick and timber butments, of recent date, within the parade.
Listing NGR: SU5940401178
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 409392
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 09:47:10.
Download a full scale map (PDF)© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
End of official list entry