Post by Dave on Jun 6, 2020 16:00:22 GMT
Battery Gardens Brixham 6th June 2020
I just knew I had to make the effort and go out for a walk today, I have found of late I have been staying indoors far too much. The wind was strong outside and rain was on the way later and the grey sky was not going to be perfect for photography.
I did not want to drive to far and I wanted to walk where I could discover some history and do some exploring and I decided to visit Battery Gardens in Brixham again. The last time I had been there was on a Sunday the day before the big storm of 27th October 2013. That day I had walked from Paignton To Brixham Via Fishcombe Cove.
I was not planning to walk that far today as I really only wanted to fully explore the Brixham Battery Site as the last time I was there I only saw a part of it. I think most people only ever see the two buildings on the main path that goes past the top of Fishcombe Cove down into Brixham Harbour.
Before I left with the help of goggle street view I decided where I hoped I would be able to park and got lucky when I got there as I was able to park very close to the top entrance of Battery Gardens. The only problem was I parked the car very close to a wall on the right hand side of the road and struggled to get out the passenger side.
Before I went on the big explore I walked down to Fishcombe Cove, the café was all closed up and there were only two people there, I could see a few more people over at Churston Cove, my favourite out of the two coves. There is a lovely walk I have done a number of times from Churston Manor, along the grove and then through the woods to Churston Cove. Then up the steps to the top of the cliff through another woods that takes you in the end to Elberry Cove next to Broadsands.
I left the cove and climbed back up the coast path and past the two buildings I had seen before, but this time instead of carrying on to Brixham Harbour, I looked for other paths that might be there. I found one that took me to where a gun would have been mounted and above there higher up was a great looking building. But there was a gang of youths in it playing loud music so I just grabbed the best photo of it I could from where I was standing.
Time to try another path and discovered two more buildings and one of them I could walk through and up some steps inside that then took me out a different way. I soon found myself back to where I had started the walk from but decided to walk down beside a very old wall. It was not a proper path just a very narrow dirt track, but it was worth it in the end as I found yet another old building that must have been a part of the battery.
I felt a few rain drops on my head and knew it was time to head back to the car and make my way home. I am pleased I made the effort to go out today, it is something I need to be doing far more often and will.
History Of Site
The 14-acre (57,000 m2) site of Battery Gardens was first used as a battery in 1586 during the war between England and Spain. The Battery was not permanently armed but was certainly 'active' throughout the American War of Independence during the 1780s and the Napoleonic War against France during the first decade of the 19th century. The Battery was also used by the Coast Guard for gunnery training during the 1870s.
All that can be seen today was built from June – September 1940 immediately following the defeat and evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk after the fall of France.
Of the 116 Emergency Batteries built in 1940 from John O'Groats to Kent, to Lands End, and to South Wales only 7 remain. Of these Brixham battery is the most complete. English Heritage had surveyed the whole site and it is now a scheduled monument.
