Câtel Fort

This 18th century guardhouse, situated on the eastern cliffs dominating Grève de Lecq Bay, is home to a profusion of wild flowers including gorse, wood-violet and white campion. Originally built to survey the northern approach to Jersey, it is now mainly used as a site for hire by people wanting to enjoy peaceful moments in a sheltered part of the North coast.

Once a year, Câtel Fort also hosts one of the Trust’s most popular events: the Sundowner. This provides an opportunity to meet up with family and friends on the longest day of the year, and to enjoy refreshments whilst watching the sun set !

Description

Isolated and over-looking La Grève de Lecq, the grassed grounds of the Fort contain an oak tree and a number of wild flower species, including an Early Purple Orchid which appeared on site for the first time in 2000. Glow-worms and Pipistrelle bats have also been spotted around the site.

The surrounding area consists of steep agricultural côtils, bracken and gorse. The path leading up to the Fort entrance is bordered by blackthorn and hawthorn shrubs and the exterior of the Fort features some garden species, including rose and honeysuckle.

To the east of the site is a large earth mound, visible from Le Chemin du Câtel and known as Castel de Lecq. The mound is 270 ft high and bears obvious traces of ancient enhancements. The exact date of these enhancements is unknown but it has been suggested that they probably belong to the Late Iron Age, when many similar Promontory Forts were being constructed in Cornwall and Brittany.

History

When it became apparent that the French were making plans in 1779 to invade Jersey with half of their expeditionary force landing at Grève de Lecq, measures were immediately put in place to defend the bay. The Governor of Jersey, General Sir Henry Seymour Conway, recommended that a “Maison de Garde” and “Magazin” be constructed and shortly afterwards the guard house was duly constructed by order of the States. By 1787 the Defence Committee had decided that the guard house should be arched and the necessary funds to undertake the work were raised through a public lottery. Thereafter the battery guarded the bay with three heavy, 32-pound guns on traversing platforms.

A detachment of 15 artillerymen and a sergeant were billeted in the guardhouse, which had a water cistern and open fireplace. The surrounding walls have loopholes for muskets or rifles, and in addition there is a stone-roofed outwork or caponnière to defend the entrance.

Once used as a summerhouse, the Fort is now leased by The National Trust for Jersey, which maintains and takes care of it.

Site Access

Câtel Fort is located on the eastern side of Grève de Lecq Bay. The site is 200 metres from Le Chemin du Catel, a steep little road starting just beneath the Barracks. Grève de Lecq can be reached via Bus route 9 departing from St Helier. There are several car-parks close to the beach. Câtel Fort can be hired all year round. It can also be enjoyed on the longest day of the year, for the National Trust Sundowner.