Long Sands

Tregantle Fort is one of several forts surrounding Plymouth that were built as a result of a decision in Lord Palmerston's premiership to deter the French from attacking naval bases on the Channel coast. The fort was originally designed by Captain William Crossman, with later modifications by Captain (later Maj General) Edmund Frederick Du Cane. Construction commenced in 1859 and was completed in 1865. When originally designed it had provision for 35 large guns. By 1893 the guns consisted of five RBL 7 inch Armstrong guns and nineteen RML 64-pounders, together with a number of 32 Pounder Smooth Bore Breech Loading guns. Early in the 1900s it became an infantry battalion headquarters with 14 officers and 423 other ranks, and from 1903 was used for rifle training. Tregantle is infamous within the armed forces because many of the rifle ranges located there slope steeply down towards the sea. These ranges are still in use, primarily by personnel located at HMS Raleigh. Tregantle was vacated after World War I until 1938, when it was used as the Territorial Army Passive Air Defence School. During World War II it was used first as the Army Gas School and from 1942 as US Army accommodation. (source Wikipedia)

This photograph looks out to sea over one of the rifle ranges at Tregantle Fort, although at this time it looks more like a timber yard. The ship beached in the bay is the Kodima which was stranded in heavy seas on 2nd February 2002. This photograph was taken 2 weeks later just before it was refloated. The ship was carrying a cargo of timber planks, much of which was washed up on local beaches and subsequently "liberated" by local people indulging in one of the oldest Cornish Traditions. Officials protested that this activity was against the law and generally not cricket but nobody paid much attention. A local pub put out a sign saying "Wreckers welcome".

Crafthole is a village on the hilltop above Portwrinkle. The picture shows part of the old village centre although there are many more 20th century houses in the village.

This stretch of road between the villages of Antony and Polbathic cuts through the low-lying mainly wooded countryside along the south side of Lynher River estuary. Its open curves and good cambers make it a favourite with motor cyclists.

While the footpath looks inviting, the sign warns that it leads into a military training area and that entry is forbidden.

Looking over part of a golf course between Crafthole and the sea cliffs.

This permissive path is one of the most recently opened sections of the South West Coast Path. It is closed when the MOD firing ranges at Tregantle are being used, at which times walkers must take a detour to the landward side of the fort.

This 19th century fortification was completed in 1865 and overlooks Whitsand Bay. The intention of the fort was to hold guns which could fire on ships at sea. Whilst its guns were upgraded in the late 19th century they did not keep pace with the advances in naval guns at the time. Tregantle Forts most famous resident was probably the American heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis who was stationed here for a time in the Second World War. This photograph shows the southwestern aspect of the fort. The fort and its surrounds now contain rife ranges for military practice.

A narrow lane through mixed agricultural land to the north of Whitsand Bay.

This old pillbox sits decaying in the corner of a field.

Sharrow Point juts out to sea on Whitsand Bay near Freathy. For a similar view, but on a much sunnier day taken 7 years later - see SX3952 : Whitsand Bay looking west from Sharrow Point

This rosy cliff rises from the "Danger Area" beach below Tregantle Fort. (It's only a Danger Area when the red flags are flying signifying that they're using the firing ranges)

O.k. - a bit cheeky this one - but by my reckoning I've got the bit of sand that sneaks into SX3752 in this shot ! Edit: See a later shot, definitely taken within the square here SX3752 : Long Sands at very low tide

Part of the fort near the viewpoint carpark.