Fort Cumberland

Fort Cumberland is a large, star-shaped fort located at Eastney Point, near Portsmouth, England. Built in the late 18th century, it is one of the most significant examples of Georgian military architecture in the country. The fort was designed to protect the entrance to Langstone Harbour and the eastern approach to Portsmouth, a key naval base for the British Royal Navy.

The history of Fort Cumberland dates back to the mid-18th century when an earlier, smaller fort was constructed on the site during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. This earlier fort was built to protect against potential invasions and to secure the southern coast of England. However, the original fort soon became outdated, and in the 1780s, the construction of the current, larger fort began under the direction of engineer John Desmaretz. The new fort was completed in 1812.

Fort Cumberland is designed in a distinctive star shape, a popular design for forts of the period, which provided better defense against artillery fire. The fort features five bastions, a dry moat, and extensive barracks and gun emplacements. It was equipped with a large number of cannons and other artillery pieces, intended to protect the surrounding area from both land and sea attacks.

Throughout its history, Fort Cumberland has served various military purposes. During the Napoleonic Wars, it was an important defensive position, and in the 19th century, it was used as a barracks and training ground for the Royal Marines. The fort continued to be used by the military during both World Wars, serving as a base for anti-aircraft defenses and later as a headquarters for the D-Day landings planning.