Lentney Battery, Plymouth, March 2018

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HughieD

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1. The History:
Lentney Battery was built in 1905 as one of three 6-inch gun batteries to defend the Eastern approaches to Plymouth Sound, for the defence of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport, 3.7 miles to the north-east. Lentney and Renney batteries were strategically placed to keep the largest enemy battleships and armoured cruisers of the pre-Dreadnought era out of range from bombarding the dockyard and ships anchored in Plymouth Sound. Originally intended to house 3 guns, only two emplacements were completed for the 6-inch Mark VII breech-loading naval guns. The magazines, ammunition prep areas and barracks were situated below the battery.

In 1911 the battery was put into reserve, as its role was better fulfilled by the contemporary battery at Watch House. In 1914 a blockhouse and unclimbable fence was added and the battery was manned by the Devonshire Royal Garrison Artillery who shared accommodation with the nearby Renney Battery to the south. The guns were dismounted after the First World War.

Lay-out of the Lentney battery:

40157682115_0f08d4994f_b.jpgLentney by HughieDW, on Flickr

During the Second World War between 1939 and 1941 the battery was modernised and re-armed with similar guns (but this time the Mk24 guns included splinter boxes over the guns) as before manned by men from 156 Royal Artillery Battery. After the war the battery was used as one of the practise batteries for the Coast Artillery Training School who were based up the coast at Fort Staddon. The battery remained in usable condition until the dissolution of coast artillery in the United Kingdom in 1956 when it was once again disarmed, and the guns sold for scrap. The site was then released by the military in 1991.

Picture of the battery in 1953 three years before it was disarmed:

40342353954_ca4572e5fa_b.jpg20180327_151907 by HughieDW, on Flickr

2. The Explore:
With time at a premium and having no car at my disposal, this was a bit of a logistical challenge getting out here. Utilising Plymouth's fantastic bus service I got as close to Fort Bovisand as I could then walked the rest of the way along the back roads. Once at Bovisand I turned left and walked along the coastal path then turned inland to reach the battery. It was a beautiful March day with bright sunlight and blue skies. It was so peaceful and the site itself remains incredibly untouched, bar the odd graff artist that has found their way here. There is still plenty to see here including the original lighting and powder/shell and cartridge hoists, making this a most enjoyable visit.

3. The Pictures:

Looks like we’re in the right place!

26184180477_a9aa09a073_b.jpgimg5911 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Old hatch on the first gun emplacement:

41054650111_1aeafb05d6_b.jpgimg5912 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And another…

40346354694_0f1861b9ff_b.jpgimg5913 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40161874475_fc91d06fb8_b.jpgimg5914 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40161825585_0385204b1f_b.jpgimg5915 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41054468501_0797c27385_b.jpgimg5916 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40161732115_a7389ef7ea_b.jpgimg5917 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40161679005_4574324936_b.jpgimg5918 by HughieDW, on Flickr

One of the original light fittings:

27183218858_88914c4a03_b.jpgimg5920 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39245572110_cf3d8c3c99_b.jpgimg5922 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39245522330_d0d20d09ee_b.jpgimg5923bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

Dave and Dave’s been here!

40162676935_f75e641cb5_b.jpgimg5927 by HughieDW, on Flickr
40347015454_da7cc8015c_b.jpgimg5928 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41013696262_24f2e480c2_b.jpgimg5930bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

26184694587_848e17f0c0_b.jpgimg5931 by HughieDW, on Flickr

26184639047_9f2463cbe2_b.jpgimg5932 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some interesting old electrics in here:

41055000001_ef46346709_b.jpgimg5933 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Window to the world:

40346749744_8c16fbb591_b.jpgimg5937 by HughieDW, on Flickr

What lovely ammo prep galleries:

40163328845_f4c9209a10_b.jpgimg5938 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40347547964_78d2180fdc_b.jpgimg5944 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some original hoist gear:

26185350527_0ba269d80e_b.jpgimg5947 by HughieDW, on Flickr

40347463194_041d7a52c8_b.jpgimg5951 by HughieDW, on Flickr

27185904118_48ae3431bf_b.jpgimg5953 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Clean as a whistle!

40164200205_de22730e5a_b.jpgimg5957 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41015139162_5d1316c85b_b.jpgimg5962 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39248155910_93a1d5682e_b.jpgimg5963 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some nice colours in this smaller room:

41056658431_4357ce79e9_b.jpgimg5964 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And to the only room with any graff:

39248076660_99d50539b3_b.jpgimg5966 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39248042730_43acfb0192_b.jpgimg5968 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41014910982_ce98b06237_b.jpgimg5971 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And look at this!

40348137854_bf16bb9354_b.jpgimg5975 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Excellent post and photos, Hughie. Going by a 2008 report it's kept more or less pristine over the last ten years, apart from more undergrowth, so hopefully continues to stay in good nick. :)
 
Excellent post and photos, Hughie. Going by a 2008 report it's kept more or less pristine over the last ten years, apart from more undergrowth, so hopefully continues to stay in good nick. :)

Cheers Foxy Lady. Makes you a bit nervous about posting about it but the location's out there and they are openly accessible. So fingers crossed.
 
I'm down this way myself soon, I'll have to pay this one a visit. Fantastic photos as always HughieD!
 
That's an interesting post and a nice write up on the history. Of all the gun batteries that have been posted on this website this one seems to be in the best condition. Maybe because its out of the way and secluded.
 
That's an interesting post and a nice write up on the history. Of all the gun batteries that have been posted on this website this one seems to be in the best condition. Maybe because its out of the way and secluded.

Think that's the reason. Takes a bit of planning getting to this place. Well worth the effort though.
 
Super looking place, me and fluffy went to the other battery just down the road
We were running out of time and I wanted beer and food so we never did this one.

Cheers newage
 
A cracking looking place H, if only we had the time this would have been on the done list !! Good pics mate lets hope it stays unchavved !!
 
Super looking place, me and fluffy went to the other battery just down the road
We were running out of time and I wanted beer and food so we never did this one.

Cheers newage

Yeah...you cracked Renney battery. Saw your night report. Much bigger and more difficult than Lentney. Was opposite way round for me!

A cracking looking place H, if only we had the time this would have been on the done list !! Good pics mate lets hope it stays unchavved !!

Cheers fluffy...let's hope so!
 

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