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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How To Find Osborne's Fort
Where To Park For Osborne's Fort?
Lat / Long
55.67455, 55.67455
What three words
There is a big visitor car park just after the causeway.
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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More Places In Holy Island
Find more fabulous places in Holy Island, Northumberland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
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Emmanuel Head Daymark
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