Plymouth Blockhouse, Millbay and Firestone Bay wall

Has been described as a Possible Artillery Fort, and also as a Possible Linear Defence or Dyke

There are no visible remains

NamePlymouth Blockhouse, Millbay and Firestone Bay wall
Alternative NamesHoe Blockhouse
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityPlymouth; City of
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishPlymouth

Site of an artilllery blockhouse probably built in the late 15th or early 16th centuries. It is depicted as a single-storeyed crenellated structure on the panorama of 1540 and may also appear on 18th century maps. Any remains were demolished when the present Millbay Docks were built at the end of the 1850s. The former 19th century dock police station may stand on the site. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The map of Henry VIII shows blockhouse here with a wall from Millbay to Fisher Nose Tower which may have had some small artillery pieces along its length. This will have been lost under the later Civil War and later defences and developments.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSX471536
Latitude50.3630104064941
Longitude-4.15042018890381
Eastings247150
Northings53670
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Calculate Print

Books

  • Ray, K. (ed), 1995, Archaeological Investigations and Research in Plymouth Vol. 1: 1992 to 1993 (Plymouth Archaeology occasional publications No. 2) p. 52-8
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 121 (possible)

Primary Sources