Cornwall National Landscape

Overview

On the high ground above Plymouth Sound sit three earthwork forts known as Redoubts 1, 2 and 3. They were built in the late 1700s to defend the Royal Dockyard at Devonport from enemy attack, especially during the American War of Independence. Each redoubt is made of sloped banks and ditches, shaped to hold cannons and troops. Though overgrown in places, you can still see the outlines of these forts today. They are part of a wider group of military sites at Maker Heights, all designed to protect Britain’s coastline.

Redoubts 1, 2 and 3 are part of Cornwall National Landscape’s A Monumental Improvement Project, which aimed to ensure that 40 scheduled monuments across Cornwall National Landscape were better protected, identified and enjoyed by a wider range of people. Between 2022 – 2025, the Project delivered conservation repairs, installed new heritage interpretation signage, ran a range of community volunteering events and developed new website resources. The Project was primarily funded thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from our other partners – Cornwall Council, Historic England, The National Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Cornwall Archaeological Society.

Historical Significance

These redoubts are some of the earliest in the area, begun as temporary defences in 1779. The forts were later improved between 1782 and 1784 as part of the Duke of Richmond’s upgrades to the nation’s defences. Redoubt 1 (Royal Cornwall) had eight large cannons and was linked with a Royal Observer Corps post during the Cold War. Redoubt 2 (Somerset) had five sides, seven 18-pounder guns and may have had stone-lined defences. Redoubt 3 was simpler in shape but held a touching memorial stone for a grenadier named James Ashton. All three played a role in watching over the sea and guarding the land route to Plymouth from the west. They remind us how real the threat of invasion once was and how carefully Cornwall helped defend the country.

Redoubts 1, 2 and 3

Panoramas

Step inside the past with these immersive panoramic views of Redoubts 1, 2 and 3. These 360° images let you see the forts from all angles just like a soldier might have done over 200 years ago. Look out across the landscape, spot where the cannons once stood and get a sense of how these hidden earthworks helped protect the coast.

Features of Interest

Each redoubt has its own story to tell. At Redoubt 1, you can spot the steep-sided ditch and raised ramparts that once held heavy cannons. There’s also a Cold War Royal Observer Corps post hidden inside, look for the small fenced hatch where volunteers once monitored the skies for nuclear threats.

Redoubt 2 stands out with its five-sided layout and long front ditch. Keep an eye out for old iron gateposts near the road, small clues that hint at how this area was once carefully guarded.

Redoubt 3 offers something more personal. Inside the grassy fort lies a simple memorial stone to James Ashton, a grenadier who died in the 1790s. This redoubt also has a wide flat-bottomed moat and sloped banks called a glacis, built to make it harder for attackers to approach unseen. Historic England recently added wooden steps here, so you can safely walk into the middle and see the shape of the fort from the inside. It’s a rare chance to stand in a real 18th-century defence and imagine what life was like on lookout duty.

Local Flora & Fauna

Thanks to recent restoration by the Monumental Improvement project, the redoubts are now clearer and easier to explore both for visitors and for nature. With scrub and invasive plants cleared, native grasses and wildflowers are returning to the site. You might spot butterflies like meadow browns or small coppers fluttering around. Rabbits and voles scurry along the edges of the ditches. These historic forts are part of a healthy, living landscape.

Efforts and Challenges

Restoring the redoubts has taken a careful balance of archaeology, conservation and community support. As part of the Monumental Improvement project, teams of volunteers, archaeologists and heritage experts worked together to clear invasive scrub, record important features and make the sites safe to explore. All work was done with the goal of protecting the redoubts for the future while making them more visible and welcoming for visitors today.

But looking after these sites isn’t always simple. Many of the redoubts were hidden under vegetation for decades. Erosion, past infilling, and Cold War structures like the Royal Observer Corps post added extra layers to unpick. Managing wildlife habitats while preventing damage from burrowing animals has also been a challenge. Keeping the balance between access, nature and preservation is ongoing but thanks to the project, these redoubts now have a much stronger future.

Give a little back by volunteering

Cornwall National Landscape is a non-profit organisation that conserves the unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage of Cornwall. Volunteering for the protected landscape provides a rewarding experience of giving back to the community and preserving the Cornwall's natural beauty.

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Redoubts 1, 2 and 3

Themes

Types

Periods

History

Overview

Historical Significance

Visuals

Redoubts 1, 2 and 3

Redoubt 3 Ground

Redoubt 3 Aerial

Redoubt 2 Ground

Redoubt 2 Aerial

Redoubt 1 Aerial

Redoubts 1, 2 and 3

Protect

Features of Interest

Local Flora & Fauna

Efforts and Challenges

Visit

Directions

Other Monuments in 11 - Rame Head

Redoubt 5

Redoubt 4

Mount Edgcumbe Barrow

Get Involved

Give a little back by volunteering

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