Redoubt Fort – Harwich
7th June 2025

Redoubt Fort
Date: 7th June 2025
Time: 8pm – 2:30am
Price: £35
Deposit £10

Parking details:
A small car park is situated just outside the gates.

History

The moated circular Redoubt Fort was built in 1808 to defend the harbour against the threatened invasion of Napoleonic forces. It mounted ten 24-pounders and housed a regiment of soldiers with sufficient food and stores to withstay a lengthy siege. Fortunately it was never called upon to demonstrate its powers.

There was always a natural hill where the Redoubt now stands. Originally it was surmounted by a house, Hill House, which was purchased and demolished to make way for the Redoubt. The Redoubt was then built on top of the hill. A retaining wall was subsequently built in a circle outside the fort,

Earth was brought by pannier donkeys from the nearby low lying area (now known as Bathside) and tipped around the outside of the retaining wall to form the earthworks. This excavation had repercussions in the 1953 floods as the area was then below sea level. The water came in through a breach in the sea wall and stayed in. Eight lives were lost. The Redoubt earthworks form an integral part of the fort’s defences. It meant that only a very small portion of the fort was presented as a target, and cannon balls, which were aimed too low, lost themselves harmlessly in the earthworks. The building was completed in three years, which was an extremely quick time as everything had to be done by hand. There is a local legend that French prisoners of war helped with the construction.

The Redoubt is being restored by the Harwich Society. It is believed to be the largest ancient monument in the country being restored by a private group.

Fort Hauntings
Witnesses have reportedly seen apparitions through the windows and heard unexplained footsteps. Visitors to the fort have also reported being touched by unseen hands in the lower casements. Many other mysterious noises and apparitions have also been witnessed by visitors.

The most well known sighting for the fort is the apparition of a headless soldier. In 1872 a soldier was decapitated by a cable attached to a 12 ton cannon which broke under the strain. It is rumoured that this soldier now frequently roams the fort.

Address

B1352, Harwich CO12 3LT
The entrance is opposite 42a Main Rd.

What3Words location = https://w3w.co/hydration.pulled.political

👻👻What your night will include:

👻👻Working alongside the team you will split in to small groups to work through the building in group sessions using both tradition and scientific methods of investigation such as table tipping, ouija boards, evp sessions with the intention of interacting with the spirits that reputedly haunt the building.👻👻

👻👻Hot drinks, bottled water, biscuits and snacks provided.👻👻

👻👻There are toilets on site👻👻

👻👻Strictly No Alcohol or drugs👻👻

👻👻Sorry no under 18’s or pregnant women allowed👻👻

👻👻No smoking or Vaping within the building, a designated site will be highlighted to those that require it👻👻

👻👻Please wear warm clothing and sensible footwear and bring your own torch👻👻

👻👻The approach lane to this location is steep so may be unsuitable for wheelchair users but there is now disabled parking at the top of the slope. Disabled toilet on site. A stairlift is available to access the lower levels, weight limit 18st👻👻

👻👻 This is NOT a sleepover event therefore you will be required to stay awake for the duration👻👻

👻👻All of our bookings are bound by our Terms and Conditions. These are on our page under Notes, but should you require a copy please email us at enquiries@cof-paranormal.co.uk👻👻