Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Castle Point Old Fort
Fishguard and Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Fort
- Period
- Post Medieval/Modern
- Community
- Fishguard and Goodwick
- Unitary authority
- Pembrokeshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.00123, -4.97047
- SAM number
- PE096
- Cadw record number
- 3551
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
Also known as Fishguard Fort, Castle Point Old Fort stands on a headland overlooking the bay at Goodwick. The monument comprises the stone and earth remains of a defensive fort which was constructed in the late 18th century in response to the town being bombarded by the privateer Black Prince. Famously, the only action it saw was the firing of its guns in an attempt to scare off the French during the invasion of 1797. A stone archway leads into the interior of the fort, where four cannon are mounted on wooden stands. A rectangular vaulted stone building to the west is still in reasonable repair. Seaward, a rock-cut ditch separates the fort from the steep coastal slope. It is a popular visitor attraction.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to inform us about the construction, layout and use of Napoleonic forts. Its association with the 'Last Invasion' of 1797 adds to its significance.
The Scheduled Area measures approximately 72m NW-SE and 70m NE-SW. It is an irregular shape, encompassing the whole of the headland.
Nearby in the register
- Fishguard FortDefenceunder 1 mi
- The Quay, including slipway, bollard and flights of steps.Maritimeunder 1 mi
- 37 Quay StreetDomesticunder 1 mi
- 35 Quay StreetDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.