Osborne's Fort

Tower Holy Island Northumberland

Osborne's Fort

Tower In Holy Island, Northumberland

A ruined fort tower on the opposite side of the harbour to Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island.

We're heading back on to Holy Island tonight for another little hidden treasure that you may have missed as you walked to the castle or priory.

Sitting next to Lindisfarne's pier this is the ruins of a tower that was part of a fort called Osborne's Fort. It has also been referred to as Steel End Fort or The Fort on The Heugh.

The fort was an irregular pentagonal shape and had gun platforms on the lower level around the south and east sides. There was also a redoubt (new word for me - means fort usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort) on the east side.

The fort would have supplemented the artillery on Lindisfarne Castle so any ships approaching the harbour would be caught in the cross fire. 

Major Daniel Collingwood was the governor of Holy Island at the time and instructed Robert Trollope with its construction back in 1671, to protect Holy Island from Dutch raids.

However it's not known why it was called Osborne's Fort.

You can see how the fort would have looked on the nearby sign.

Not a bad view from the fort window either!

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Where Is Osborne's Fort

Where Is It?

What three words
ridiculed.diplomat.because

Lat / Long
55.668162, -1.795661
Show Place On Google Maps

Head towards the castle and just as you approach the beach turn right towards the pier.


Where To Park?

What three words
hiring.fine.describe

Lat / Long
55.67455, -1.800971

Show Parking On Google Maps

There is a big visitor car park just after the causeway.

Simon Hawkins

Contributed by Simon Hawkins

Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue Pele tower up a remote hill or a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.

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