Henley Fort

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox building | name = Henley Fort | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = File:Henley-Fort-View.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = The view across Guildford from Henley Fort Outdoor Education Centre on a sunny day. | image_caption = The view across Guildford from Henley Fort | pushpin_map = Surrey | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_relief = | former_names = | alternate_names = | etymology = | status = | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = | architectural_style = | classification = | location = | address = Henley Fort Outdoor Education Centre, The Mount, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4RH | location_town = | location_country = United Kingdom | coordinates = {{coord|51.230509|-0.5968996|type:landmark_region:GB-SRY|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | altitude = | current_tenants = | namesake = | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | est_completion = | topped_out_date = | completion_date = | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | relocated_date = | renovation_date = | closing_date = | demolished_date = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development | landlord = | affiliation = | height = | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | other_dimensions = | structural_system = | material = | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | elevator_count = | grounds_area = | architect = | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | known_for = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = | number_of_rooms = | parking = | website = [https://www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk/facilities/henley-fort Henley Fort] | embed = | embedded = | references = | footnotes = }}

'''Henley Fort''' is a Victorian fort near Guildford, Surrey, at the eastern end of the 'Hog's Back' ridge.

==History==

Henley Fort was built as a mobilisation centre<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/newlocalplan/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=21346&p=0|title=Guildford Borough Historic Environment Information|website=www.guildford.gov.uk}}</ref> during the 1880-90s as part of the London Defence Positions. Its purpose was to protect the capital from the French army.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/sites/default/files/SAS405_0.pdf|title=Surrey Archaeological Society - Bulletin 405|website=www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk}}</ref> Initially, construction was rapid due to the invasion threat, but slowed as that threat passed.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}

It is the most westerly fort of a 17-mile chain that would have formed a secondary line of defence between the South coast and London.<ref name=":1" /> It was never used as a fort in the conventional sense,{{sfn|Chapman-Davies|2013}} having neither the men or the munitions to garrison it, and was instead used to train volunteers and as a monthly meeting place for the volunteers who manned it.{{sfn|Evans|1998|page=20}}

Ammunition was also created on site,{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}} and the fort was constructed using chalk in order to prevent gunpowder from detonating in the event of the fort being bombed.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}

During the Second World War, Henley Fort was used for defence purposes by the Home Guard.

In the 1950s it was used as a camp for local schools.{{sfn|Kerr|1927|page=223}} Each school could attend for two weeks each year for walks around Surrey.

== Present == Today the fort is an educational centre run by Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk/facilities/henley-fort|title = Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development - Henley Fort|website = www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk|access-date = 2016-03-03}}</ref> and as such hosts groups of all types wanting an outdoor learning experience.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |year=2013 |first=Helen |last=Chapman-Davies |title=Guildford's Hidden History |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |isbn=9781848686915 }} * {{cite book |year=1998 |first=Martin Marix |last=Evans |title=The Military Heritage of Britain & Ireland |publisher=Andre Deutsch Ltd |isbn=9780233991504 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/militaryheritage0000mari }} * {{cite book |year=1927 |first=James |last=Kerr |title=The Fundamentals of School Health |publisher=Macmillan |asin=B00089Z71K }} {{Refend}}

==External links== * [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019286 Henley Fort: a London mobilisation centre]

Category:Buildings and structures in Guildford Category:Forts in Surrey