Polruan Blockhouse
Has been described as a Certain Artillery Fort, and also as a Certain Chain Tower
There are major building remains
| Name | Polruan Blockhouse |
| Alternative Names | Polruan Castle |
| Historic Country | Cornwall |
| Modern Authority | Cornwall |
| 1974 Authority | Cornwall |
| Civil Parish | Lanteglos |
A chain tower known as Polruan Blockhouse on the south coast of mid-Cornwall. The chain tower survives as a two storied rectangular building constructed on a low rocky promontory which juts out into the River Fowey, and is located opposite another chain tower known as Fowey Blockhouse The structure is roofless and is constructed of the local slate stone with moulded granite surrounds to some windows, gun ports and the main entrance. The chain tower was probably built in response to a raid on the town of Fowey by the French in 1457. Leland, travelling in the 16th century, states that the towers were built during the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483). Polruan Blockhouse was also equipped for use with guns, there being 2 gunports. The two chain towers were designed to have a chain laid across the river between them which could be raised to prevent enemy shipping reaching the town of Fowey. Advances in artillery made the tower obselete and it was superseded by St Catherine's Castle in the 1520s, on the opposite side of the river. The tower was reused during the Civil War. In 1644 the Parliamentarians were being forced to retreat down the Fowey peninsula and were hoping to escape from Fowey by ship, however the Royalists seized and held Polruan Blockhouse, so giving them control over shipping entering or leaving Fowey. (PastScape)
Blockhouse, now maintained ruin, erected circa 1540 and last used in 1666. One of Henry VIII's forts erected to guard the entrance to Fowey River and was linked by a large chain with a similar blockhouse on the Fowey side. Rubble stone with ashlar dressings. Floors and roof now gone. Square in plan. 3 storeys. Entrance on south-east near centre. Chamfered round-headed arch. Small rectangular loop embrasure to the right and 3 above. Oversailing parapet remains on south corner
Small rectangular embrasures on other faces with 2 stone mullioned windows on the north-east and a musket-loop on the north-west. Remains of stone newel stairs on the east and south with steps up from the headland on the west. Remains of fireplace and slate lintel on the first floor. Owned by Polruan Town Trust. (Listed Building Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SX123510 |
| Latitude | 50.3296813964844 |
| Longitude | -4.63810014724731 |
| Eastings | 212330 |
| Northings | 51080 |
