Fort Le Marchant: Coastal Fortress with a Storied Past

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Explore Guernsey's Fort Le Marchant: A historic coastal defense offering stunning views and a glimpse into the island's military past.

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Fort Le Marchant

Fort Le Marchant, located on Guernsey's northern coast, is a 19th-century fort built to defend the island. Explore its well-preserved structure, enjoy panoramic coastal views, and learn about its military history. It's a great spot for history buffs, nature lovers, and families.

A brief summary to Fort Le Marchant

GF5J+GG5, Guernsey, GG
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Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Fort Le Marchant.

Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and optimal lighting for photography.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain within the fort can be uneven.
Check the flag color before approaching, as a red flag indicates the rifle range is in use.

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Getting There

Walking

From L'Ancresse Bay public car park, follow the footpath towards the coast. The path is well-defined and leads directly to Fort Le Marchant. The walk is approximately 40 minutes, offering scenic views along the way.
Public Transport

Take bus routes 12, 91, or 92 to the L'Ancresse Bus Terminus. From there, it is approximately a 15-minute walk to Fort Le Marchant. Follow the road onto L'Ancresse Common, and at the fork, take the right-hand turning onto Les Clotures Road/Les Mielles Road. Turn left onto the unnamed road that leads to parking overlooking L'Ancresse beach. The standard bus fare is £1.60.
Car

From Vale Church, take the road onto L'Ancresse Common. At the fork, take the right-hand turning onto Les Clotures Road/Les Mielles Road. Turn left onto the unnamed road that leads to parking overlooking L'Ancresse beach, or continue and turn left onto Bunker Hill and continue to the parking at the end. Parking is free but limited, and a parking disc may be required. Parking clocks are available for purchase from Driver & Vehicle Licensing at Edward T Wheadon House and the Police Station for £5.50.

Discover more about Fort Le Marchant

Fort Le Marchant, situated on the northern coast of Guernsey in the Vale, is a historical fortress with origins dating back to 1680. Originally known as Fort L'Angle, it was expanded in the late 18th and early 19th centuries due to fears of a French invasion. The completed fort was named in 1805 after Eleazar Le Marchant, the Lieutenant Bailiff at the time. A large barracks was added in 1854, but it has since been demolished. Today, Fort Le Marchant offers visitors a chance to explore a well-preserved piece of Guernsey's military history. The site provides panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and countryside. Visitors can explore the fort's grounds, including the gun emplacements. The area is also popular with walkers and offers scenic coastal footpaths. Notably, a rifle range is located on the site, so visitors should be aware of the flag color displayed; a red flag indicates that the range is in use. Despite its military past, Fort Le Marchant is now a place where families can explore, and those interested in local history can reflect.