Fort Gilkicker in Gosport to be sold at auction

Fort Gilkicker, a Victorian-era Palmerston fort in Gosport, is to be sold at auction.

Built to defend England in the case of French attack, the fort was completed in 1871 – after the French threat had largely subsided.

It is a number of similar forts which were officially called Palmerston forts after the then-Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, although they quickly came to be known as Palmerston’s follies after England and France’s foreign policy became aligned. Some were also built with the guns facing inland, meaning they would have been useless regardless.

Gilkicker was built with 22 casemates – large rooms from which guns could be fired. Five bigger guns were mounted on the roof.

The walls were further strengthened before the first world war through the use of earthwork embankments. It was then put to use in both world wars, finally achieving the purpose it was originally built for.

It has since been put to various uses, including a plumbers’ workshop, a signalling station and storage units. It was council-owned between 1986 and 1999 but has been largely neglected since.

Rob Marchant, auctioneer, said: “The fort is situated at Stokes Bay in Gosport and is a magnificent relic of the Victorian era, built between 1863 and 1871. These forts were also known as Palmerston’s Follies, partly because some were built with the guns facing inland, but also because the French threat had diminished.

“Napoleon III's foreign policy became aligned with Britain’s so the threat of a French fleet attacking was unlikely. Behind the curved building where the guns were situated is a two-storey barrack block originally occupied by the officers.”

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It will be put up for auction by land and property auctioneers Clive Emson at their next sale, with a guide price of £1.5 million.

The sale includes planning permission to develop the Grade-II listed building into an estate of 26 homes, which would benefit from the coastal location.

“Permission has been granted to convert the fort into an exclusive estate of 26 homes. There would be 22 in the former gun emplacements and four really big apartments in the barrack block. Changes would include removing the earth wall put up before the First World War, to open up some stunning views across the Solent.

“Having grown up locally the fort has always looked as it does now. It is a stunning opportunity for someone, a really exciting project. There is a beach at the front, a golf course at the back and amazing views.

“We have sold sea forts before but this is the first land-based one from this era that we’ve listed. It is unique.”

This is indeed not the first time a Palmerston fort has appeared on the market. Back in 2019 we reported on three being sold by Dreams founder Mike Clare.

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