Henley Fort

Henley Fort stands on the Hog’s Back ridge east of Guildford in Surrey. Built in the 1880s and 1890s, it was one of a chain of forts designed to protect London from a feared French invasion. The fort was constructed quickly at first, then work slowed once the immediate threat faded. It was the western end of a 17-mile defensive line that would have stretched from the south coast to the capital. Although never fully armed, it served as a training base for volunteers and a monthly gathering point for those who would man the defences. The fort’s walls were made of chalk to reduce the risk of gunpowder explosions if the site were bombed. During the Second World War it was used by the Home Guard, and in the 1950s it became an outdoor camp for local schools. Each school attended for two weeks each year, taking guided walks around Surrey’s countryside. Today the fort is run by Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development as an outdoor education centre. Visitors find earthworks, chalk-built ramparts and grassy slopes that still show the fort’s original layout. Inside, rooms and corridors remain largely intact, offering a quiet space for learning. The surrounding ridge gives wide views across the Weald and North Downs. Paths lead through nearby woodland and farmland used by school groups for field studies. The site remains a place where history and outdoor discovery meet.