Fort Belan, Llanwnda, United Kingdom

Fort Belan is a coastal fortress in North Wales. Situated at the tip of the Dinlle Peninsula, the windblown, north-westernmost point of the Welsh mainland, the fort is cut off twice a day by the incoming tide.

The fort was built in 1775 by Thomas Wynn, then MP for Caernarfonshire and later to become Lord Newborough. He was worried about the vulnerability of Britain's coastline to attack, particularly because of the recently begun American War of Independence. Fort Belan was the only purpose-built fort of the American Revolution on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the late 1780s, the barracks were used to ward off raiding American privateers from the Irish Sea. In the 1820s, the Wynn family turned it into a private fort for themselves, adding a small harbour for Spencer Wynn's steam yacht. Major construction works took place between 1824 and 1826. The watchtower was built in the 1890s by Freddie Wynn, and it housed a telescope.

In 1907, Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey described seeing a dock, workshops for repairing vessels, marine storehouses, winches, and cranes. During World War II, the fort was again used for military purposes as the base for the Home Guard and two rescue launches. In the 1950s it was owned by Colonel Robert Vaughan Wynn. The Wynn family sold the property in 1992 to the Blundells as a base for marine biology exploration.

Architecture

The fort's innermost buildings are slightly taller than the 6.1 m stone walls. In the centre of the fort is a sheltered quadrangle; at one time, there were peacocks there. Fortified towers are located at either end of the courtyard. Each of the towers displays the two-headed eagle of the first Lord Newborough. Small two-storey houses that were used as officer and privates' quarters line the flanks, commodious barracks for the Caernarvonshire county militia. Approximately 24 cannons form a gun battery along the walls. One of the inner corridors is said to be the haunt of a phantom nursemaid.

Present use

Fort Belan formerly housed a maritime museum and a pottery, before being re-purposed as a self-catering holiday complex. Notably Princess Margaret stayed at the fort for the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

User Reviews

allan nelson (12 months ago)
Weather just wasn't on our side last week, so went for a general strole to find Fort Belan, #fortbelan & it's canons via Menai Straits, #menaistraits. The only draw back was the amount of "Private Property" signs. Shame there isnt just a small path around the grounds the public can wander even if just near the canons. Otherwise some amazing views, wildlife and scenery. If your in the area & looking for something to do for a couple of hours, highly recommend this walking route along the coastal route. https://maps.app.goo.gl/j7AXYhCQ4zSkZHeP8 #oneman #fortbelanphotography #fortbelan #canon250d #naturalphotography #kodakaz651 #welshphotographer #snowdonia #Wales #northwales #northwalesphotography #amaturephotographer #springphotography #sceneryphotography #fortbelancanons #leavenothingbehind #coastalwalks

56 independent (15 months ago)
I normally love walking around the countryside and wild areas, but this place is more amazing then anywhere i've been here. Go here if you like being shot! No matter where i go, i only see one word: "PRIVATE PROPERTY" and i only hear one sound: gunshots. This is the most amazing place for me to receive my second amendment rights granted to me by the beautiful government of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. I love walking here and i love guns! Freedom forever under the beautiful Welsh weather! I keep getting shot at and every bullet is another oppurtunity to be sent to the emergency ward and see all the funny machines they have!

Paula western (2 years ago)
Lovely place when to a beautiful wedding back in 2016 I hope they fixed the road up to it more pot holes than road!

D S (2 years ago)
Walked here from Dinas beach.. one word; private, private, private more signs than the local roadworks...why can't the people that own these places just open up a public path that people can use and see these historic buildings and learn about local history. Screams of 19th century landed gentry hating the peasants!.. place looks shabby anyway, bet it's a rip off to stay there!

Michael Rieveley (2 years ago)
Fort Belan originally built, at the behest of Lord Newborough, to be manned by his militia' to ward off any attempted invasion by Napoleon. Now operating solely as holiday accommodation. The Fort is approached from Dinas Dinlle beyond Caernarfon airport, sits at southern most end of the Menai Strait at Abermenai Point overlooking the narrow channel between the mainland and Ynys Mon/Anglesey. The Newborough estate at one time was centred around Glynllifon, the home of the Wynn Family. Within the extensive grounds of Glynllifon is another Fort manned by the private militia. There is a tower from which they could see and receive signals from Fort Belan. Helens Tower in nearby Caernarfon was also built by Lord Newborough to perform a similar function. Before its current use, it was open as a tourist attraction and as a holiday home for Lord Newborough and other members of the Wynn Family and their friends. Glynllifon came under the ownership of Gwynedd County Council. Like many stately homes, the cost of upkeep and taxation may well have been behind the decision to sell. Lord Newborough Glynllifon and took up residence at the Rhug Estate near Corwen.

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