St Aubins Fort

Description

St Aubin's Fort is one of Jersey's most important fortifications. It has been remodelled and updated periodically over the past 400 years and demonstrates the development of military architecture from the Tudor period to German WWII defences.
St Aubin's Fort was begun as a gun tower in 1542 (the earliest surviving defence works in St Aubin's Bay), but was enlarged in the 1730s by adding a curtain wall with bastions and redans at the mid-points in the French manner. The tower was remodelled to form a keep; its internal structure now resembles that of a Martello and the machicoules are very similar to those on Conway towers, suggesting late 18th and early 19th century modifications. A later addition was the traversing platform with embrasure at the top of the tower, and a vaulted magazine in the ward below. The Pier was rebuilt between 1680-1700 and the wharf quay completed about 1800. During the German Occupation, various concrete anti aircraft and sea defences were constructed including a Strong Point near the North West Bastion. (State of Jersey HER)

Henry VIII artillery-tower on rocky islet; D-shaped, of one storey; built 1542. Later out-works, from the Civil War onwards. Surprised 1643; abandoned 1651. (King 1983)