Three kilometers distant, along a gated a private road, at the end of a tidal causeway is a costal fort. The canon situated there to defend the western end of the Menai Strait from American privateers approaching from the Irish Sea.
Constructed in 1775, Fort Belan is the only example of a purpose built fort of the American Revolution on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean.
The fort was commissioned by Thomas Wynn, the then MP for Caernarfonshire (later to become Lord Newborough) due to concern for the vulnerability of Britain's coastline to attack. Although no shots were ever fired in battle and no further forts of its type were built in this period.
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| Victorian Ordnance Survey 1888-1913 |
A resurgence in British coastal fortification came 30 years later. In response to the threat of invasion by Emperor Napoleon I, a chain of Marello Towers were built to defend the Cinque Ports along the Sussex and Kent Coast.
However, fort building reached it's zenith in the 1860's and 70's in an arms race prompted by Louis Napoleon. Resulting in the monumental Palmerston Forts and vaulted roof emplacements housing huge breach loading guns.
The barrack block wings to the rear of Fort Belan are now used as holiday lets. These remain authentic with rustic charm and a unique experience. For folks who demand high end luxury, this is not the venue for you. When we stayed, there was nobody else renting the other units. Having the place to ourselves was wonderfully atmospheric.
Around the fort are many well preserved original and period features. Such as the powder and ammunition stores and the later watchtower built in the 1890's.
Adjacent to the fort, a dock was added later with workshops, stores and cranes. During WW2 the fort was back in military use as the base for the Home Guard and two rescue launches.
Fort Belan is a privately owned property. The upkeep cost of such a site of historic importance is huge and revenues from the holiday lets do help with this.
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| Gorse |
Directly outside of the fort is a pebbly shore. Swimming is not recommended due to the strong currents.
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| Fairy foxglove |
For nature lovers, there are wild flowers growing in abundance and on the edges of the protected sand dunes which form the peninsular.
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| Red valerian |
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| Common vetch |
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| Bird's-foot-trefoil |
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| Herb robert (maritimum) |
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| Sea campion |
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| Annual bugloss |
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Lesser spotted dogfish, desiccated by the sea wind,
with an unbirthed egg case "mermaid's purse" |
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| Rafa on patrol |
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| Smoked treats, bought from nearby Anglessey |
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