The fort is situated at the mouth of the River Orwell, which is just outside Felixstowe, Suffolk. It was built to guard the entrance to Harwich. Different fortifications have stood on the site,  Henry VIII had the first built in 1543 which were two blockhouses, these quickly deteriorated and were replaced in 1628 by a square fort built of earth and re vetted with wood and there was a bastion on each corner, in 1666 under the rule of Charles II, repairs were done and a brick wall was built around the fort.The fort was attacked  in 1667 during the second Dutch War, under the command of Colonel Thomas Dolman , under the commandment of Captain Nathaniel Darell The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot, the Dutch's assault was repulsed.

A new brick fort was built in 1717. The pentagon red brick fort we see today was built in 1744. In 1870 all the interior barracks and the river frontage were replaced,   and several open bastions were enclosed. In 1788 a test room was excavated to make the ravalin block to house a submarine housing contingent. New batteries were built in front of the fort named Left, Right and Darells Batteries in 1901, because the existing armament had become obsolete. After the main guns were removed for most of the 20th century it was used as barracks accommodation, In 1956 the fort no longer had a military purpose as the coastal artillery was disbanded. After ten years of neglect it was sealed up and left,local interest in the fort began to arise in the 1980s. English heritage structurally consolidated the fort in 1997, The Landguard Fort Trust now maintain and care for the fort on their behalf.


There is reported to be a lot of paranormal activity at the fort, 2 regular sightings are of a musketeer who was killed during the Dutch attack, and a soldier, also marching and knocking sounds have been heard and arches of light have been seen.

Dare you join us as we explore the maze of tunnels, and host of historical rooms