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Gun Batteries
At one time, there were over 60 gun batteries in operation around the island.
They were constructed in strategic positions to protect the coastline from possible landings by the French. Typically they consist of a sloping paved stone platform to carry the ordnance, together with a brick or stone lined barrier as defence against oncoming fire. A number of batteries have been cleared of overgrowth in recent years and restored as historic sites.
A magazine building would originally have stood nearby to store powder and shot. In some cases the magazines still survive though the battery has been lost.
Beaucette Battery
Built around 1793 to help protect the northern approaches and the channel between Guernsey and Herm. Originally it mounted two 18 pounder canon, but by 1816 mounted two 24 pounders and had been provided with a permanent magazine. The magazine lay to the west but is now lost.
Address: To the north of Beaucette Marine, Vale.
Accessible via La Lande, Vale.
Perry's Guide: 7H2
Parking: Public car park nearby on Fort Doyle headland.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Bec du Nez Battery
This battery mounted three cannon. There is an associated magazine behind the gun emplacement.
Address: Accessible via footpaths from La Route de Jerbourg and La Bouvée, St Martin
Perry's Guide: 31H3
Parking: Public car park on La Route de Jerbourg.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Becquet Battery
This battery platform, situated above Fermain point had an associated with magazine and watch house.
Address: Accessible via footpaths from Fermain Bay and Becquet Road, St Peter Port.
Perry's Guide: 31G1
Parking: There is no public car park nearby. On street parking may be possible in Becquet Road.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Burton Battery
Records from 1801 show that the battery had two 20 pounder cannon. By 1816 it was equipped with 4 cannon plus a permanent magazine. This vantage point was utilised by the German forces during the Second World War. View site information sign...
Address: La Giffardiere and Rue d'Albecq, Castel
Accessible via signposted footpaths from La Giffardiere or the coast road.
Perry's Guide: 13G1
Parking: On-street parking possible in La Giffardiere or in the public car park at Cobo.
Bus Routes: 42, 91, 111
Clarence Battery
This battery formed part of what were the outer defences of Fort George, Guernsey's major military headquarters from the late 1780's. It was known as Terres Point Battery in 1787 but was named Clarence Battery in honour of George III's son in 1815. Many features built in the 19th century can still be seen although some alterations were made during the Second World War as this continued to be an important defensive position.View site information sign...
Address: Les Terres Point, St Peter Port
Accessible via cliff paths or foothpath from La Valette.
Perry's Guide: 25H3
Parking: Parking at La Valette.
Bus Routes: Terminus
Delancey Battery
This battery was at the site of the Delancey barracks. In 1801 the battery mounted two 20 pounder cannon. The barracks no longer survive but from this high vantage point the battery has spectacular views along the eastern coast of Guernsey. View site information sign...
Address: Delancey Park, St Sampson
Perry's Guide: 10D4
Parking: Public car park at Delancey Park accessible via Mont Morin.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Fermain North Battery
This substantial battery is associated with Tower 15 at Fermain and a magazine.
Address: Fermain Bay, St Peter Port
Perry's Guide: 31G1
Parking: There is no parking at Fermain.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Grandes Rocques Battery
Constructed c.1779 it was armed with three 24 pounder guns and was serviced from a powder magazine located some distance from the battery. The battery was altered by the German occupying forces during the Second World War. Young and old will enjoy exploring the gun positions and trenches across the site.
Address: Grandes Rocques headland, Castel
Perry's Guide: 8A1
Parking: Parking at Grandes Rocques headland.
Bus Routes: 41, 91, 111
Hougue Batteries Left & Right
The right and left batteries were constructed in 1796 and have commanding views over Vazon Bay. The batteries would have been manned by the North (2nd) regiment of the Guernsey Militia with each battery supporting two 18 pounder cannons.
Address: Rue de la Hougue, Castel.
Perry's Guide: 14D2
Parking: There is no dedicated parking. It may be possible to park nearby but please do not block the road.
Bus Routes: 42, 111
L'Eree Battery
In 1801 this battery mounted two 18 ponder guns; it would have guarded the northern side of L'Eree Bay. Today two cannons stand on the site guarding the headland. There are spactular views over to Lihou Island and towards Pleinmont Point.
Address: L'Eree headland, St Pierre de Bois.
Perry's Guide: 12A5
Parking: Public car park at L'Eree headland.
Bus Routes: 42, 91, 111
La Lochande Battery
Situated close to the Chouet Tower this battery would have guarded Grande Havre and the Braye du Valle which once separated the Clos du Valle from the rest of Guernsey. The two platforms make up the battery and each would have accommodated one 24 pounder cannon.
Address: Chouet headland, Vale
Accessible via coastal footpath from Chouet.
Perry's Guide: 6A1
Parking: Public Car Park at Chouet.
Bus Routes: 11, 91, 111
La Moye Battery
High on the cliffs at Jerbourg this battery overlooks the inaccessible Havre des Moies Bay.
Address: Jerbourg headland.
Accessible via footpath from La Moye Lane, St Martin
Perry's Guide: 31F5
Parking: Closest public car park is at Jerbourg.
Bus Routes: 81
Le Platon
In 1816 the battery mounted one 20 pounder cannon and had a portable magazine. The defensive parapet has not survived.
Address: Pembroke headland, Vale.
Accessible via footpath from Baie de la Jaonneuse or Pembroke Bay car parks.
Perry's Guide: 6C1
Parking: Public car parks at Baie de la Jaonneuse or Pembroke Bay.
Bus Routes: 11. 91
Les Tielles Battery
This battery overlooks the south coast of Guernsey and had three gun emplacements.
Address: Accessible via cliff path from Rue des Tielles, Torteval
Perry's Guide: 26D4
Parking: Public car park at Les Tielles headland.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Mont-Au Nord Battery
This battery dates from at least 1816 and evidence for a small building to the rear indicates that it may have had a magazine. It may have been superseded by Jerbourg Battery on the higher ground to the west.
Address: Accessible via cliff path from La Moye Lane, St Martin
Perry's Guide: 31H4
Parking: Public car park at Jerbourg headland.
Bus Routes: 81
Mont Chinchon Battery
Mont Chinchon battery was also known as Druids Altar Battery due to its close proximity to Le Trepied dolmen. In 1801 the battery had two 20 pounder cannons which would have been manned by the Guernsey Militia. A magazine was also recorded in 1816, which would have held black powder and shot for the guns. The site was dismantled by the German occupying forces to make way for more modern defences. The construction of a cutting for a railway line also damaged the rear of the battery and the magazine. After the 1940's the battery fell into disrepair. In 2006 work began to restore the battery and was completed in 2008. View site information sign...
Address: La Croix Martin, St Saviours
Accessible via signposted footpath.
Perry's Guide: 12D4
Parking: Public car park at Le Catioroc headland.
Bus Routes: 91, 111
Narron Battery
This small battery was also known as Narrow Point, Narrow Port or Grade Port Battery. It consists of a small platform which mounted a single 9 pounder gun.
Address: Pleinmont, Torteval
Accessible via pedestrian road from Portelet Harbour or cliff path from Pleinmont headland.
Perry's Guide: 32B2
Parking: Public car parks at Portelet Harbour and Pleinmont headland.
Bus Routes: 11, 91, 111
Nid L'Herbe Battery and Magazine
This battery is situated on the eastern side of L'Ancresse Bay. It was associated with Tower 5 and has a magazine.
Address: L'Ancresse Bay, Vale.
Accessible via footpaths from eastern L'Ancresse Bay car park.
Perry's Guide: 7E2
Parking: Public car park at L'Ancresse Bay.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Perelle Battery
This battery provided extra protection to Perelle Bay as it sits between Mont Chinchon Battery and Fort Richmond. It mounted two 20 pounder guns in 1816 and originally had its own magazine but this has been destroyed. The battery has been partly reconstructed.
Address: Route de la Perelle, St Saviours
Perry's Guide: 13E4
Parking: The nearest public car park is at Le Catioroc.
Bus Routes: 7, 7A
Pleinmont Battery
Situated high on Pleinmont point this small battery would have had a strong defensive position. In 1816 it mounted one 18 pounder gun.
Address: Pleinmont, Torteval
Accessible via pedestrian road from Portelet Harbour or cliff path from Pleinmont headland car park.
Perry's Guide: 31B1
Parking: Public car parks at Portelet Harbour or Pleinmont headland.
Bus Routes: 91, 111
Portinfer Battery
This battery had one gun position which was protected by a small parapet. It was armed with one 20 pounder gun. It did not have an associated magazine but rather would have been serviced by a portable magazine.
Address: Portinfer headland, Vale
Accessible via coastal footpath from Port Soif car park.
Perry's Guide: 8C1
Parking: Public car park at Port Soif.
Bus Routes: 41, 91, 111
Rousse Battery and Magazine
At Rousse the tower and battery are uniquely combined in a single fortification. It stood guard over the western approaches to the Braye du Valle which once separated the Clos du Valle from the rest of Guernsey. In 1816 the battery had three 24 pounder cannon and two nine pounder cannon. Replicas of these guns can be seen at the site today. This battery has an associated magazine to the south west. View site information sign...
Address: Rousse, Vale.
Perry's Guide: 33F2
Parking: Public car park at Rousse headland.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
Saints Bay Battery
This battery would have been manned by the South (3rd) Regiment of the Guernsey Militia. In 1803 this battery had two 24 pounder cannons.
Address: Accessible via footpath from Saints Harbour, Forest.
Perry's Guide: 30C5
Parking: Public car park at Saints Harbour.
Bus Routes: 11, 81, 91
St Clair Battery
This battery has an associated magazine. In 1816 this battery mounted two 24 pounder guns.
Address: Accessible via footpaths from Petit Bôt Bay, Forest.
Perry's Guide: 29F4
Parking: Pubic parking at Petit Bôt.
Bus Routes: 11, 91
