About the Fort
Situated off New Brighton
promenade (CH45 2JU), the Fort was built between 1826 and 1829 to
guard the approaches to the
port
of Liverpool at
the mouth of the River Mersey. It served as a military installation
throughout the 19th century and two world wars until, in
1954, the army finally withdrew, and it became a tourist/leisure
centre. However, as New Brighton itself declined in an era of
cheap air travel and package holidays abroad, the Fort was not well
maintained, and fell into a poor state of repair. In 1976 it was
purchased by local architect, Norman Kingham, whose dedication to
conserving Merseyside’s heritage helped to ensure that the Fort was
restored to good working order. In 1998 he sold it on to the Darroch
family, who already ran the museum at the Fort, and whose young
blood could give the whole venture new impetus. Today, while
continuing the work of conservation and restoration, the Darrochs
promote a variety of community-based activities and events
that celebrate Merseyside’s world-famous history and culture.
And so while the fort stands guard over our heritage opposite the
newly refurbished Floral Pavilion Theatre, it is proud to be playing
a vital part in the regeneration of New Brighton, and the wider
community on both sides of the River Mersey.
Contact Details
If you have any queries, or would like more information about the
Fort, please contact Dougie Darroch on:
E-Mail:
Phone: