Since the early 1980's a steady increase in interest in Palmerstones Forts has been seen throughout many areas especially in the South and South East. Forts such as Nothe in Weymouth, Newhaven in East Sussex and Landguard in Suffolk have been renovated and now enjoy a new lease of life. About 3.5 miles South of the A13 in Thurrock, Essex lies another of these forts, Coalhouse (TQ 691 768). Since 1982 the Coalhouse Fort Project has worked to put the fort 'back on the map' and enters 2006 with a positive outlook. With a new committee, dedicated voluteers and some well deserved investment we are sure that the fort will go from strength to strength in the new year. I have started this thread for several reasons.
1. To raise the profile of Coalhouse Fort
2. To hear comments from people that have attended the fort or are planning a visit in 2006
3. To hear from anyone involved with other Palmerstone Forts and compare notes on the day to day running of these structures
4. Finally, to help preserve these buildings into the 21st century

This is my first venture into the world of forums and I hope I'm doing it right. visit the website at http://www.coalhousefort.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you in 2006

For background info on Palmerstonian Forts - including plans and other data:

Click here

Thanks for that Roger, that is an excellent site for anyone else who is interested in this era of fortification too. This site is also good:
http://www.ukfortsclub.org.uk/index.html

Hi guys it dave how are you all? there are some fantastic information available on those sites but it seems that coalhouse fort is quite unique in its construction and design the only other one i have heard of is a fully restored example in australia! murial knows all the details i will see if i can get a website address off her

Welcome aboard Dave. Not sure that Coalhouse is unique, but it certainly has a few quirks. Would be interesting to hear from other restoration projects around the country.

On behalf of the Working Committee, I would like to wish every reader a rewarding new year and invite you to join us at one of our open days. All details can be found at:
http://www.coalhousefort.co.uk
and we look forward to seeing you during 2006.

Thanks, we must try and get there soon.
I'm not too far away, in Thundersley.

Look forward to seeing you there tetricus. New for this season (march-nov) is the military fair that will be held during the open days each month. similar to that at Walton Hall Museum, Linford only a week earlier.

hi guys also at coalhouse fort this year there will be a number of living history displays check out http://www.coalhousefort.co.uk and take a look at the affiliated corps and links pages

Hi, just found that one of your group, Lee, belongs to my detecting club.
What a a small world ?
He was saying that although the fort is owned by Thurrock Council, the surrounding land comes under English Heritage.

There was a retired gentleman by the name of Brian in one of my eveng classes a few years back who I think was involved with Coalhouse too.

hi all, on the first point from tetricus, it is my understanding that both the fort and the park belong to thurrock council. the fort is a sheduled ancient monument and, as such, english heritage do have a say in the type of restoration work that can be carried out and how it is to be done. some time in early 2006, work is going to be started on restoring the exterior of the gatehouse and some of this money is being given by HE. a sum of money is also being raised by the coalhouse fort project, by no means an easy task for a bunch of hard working volunteers. as for eileen remembering a gentleman named brian, this could well be one of our guides who has been associated with the fort for a number of years. anyone visiting during 2006 will be offered a guided tour of the fort either by myself, brian or anyone of the dedicated band of guides and we look forward to showing you around.

Coalhouse Needs You !!
As the years are passing, we need a new generation of enthusiasts to carry on the work started in the 1980's to maintain Coalhouse. We are up against playstations, computers and a large number of other distractions that leaves the younger generation little time to study the historic buildings this country has to offer. If you are at school, college or just started work, you are the age group we are looking for to help secure the future of this historic fort. If anyone would like further information visit the web site at www.coalhousefort.co.uk