Fort Le Marchant is a great place for kids to explore for so many reasons…safe rocks to climb (as in rocks not on the side of a cliff!), windows looking out to sea, a gaol and small stone passages, to name just a few.
Location
Located on the northern coast of Guernsey at L’Ancresse Common in Vale. Accessible via footpath from Le Catelain or L’Ancresse Bay public car parks.
Background
Fort Le Marchant has had a fort of some description on the site in Vale since around 1680. At the end of the 18th century, when fears of French invasion were prompting new fortifications all around Guernsey’s coast, the original fortification, known as Fort L’Angle, was expanded. The work was completed in 1805 and the new fort named after the then Lieutenant Bailiff Eleazar Le Marchant. In 1854 a large barracks was built on the landward side of the fort, surrounded by a defensive ditch. The barracks have since been demolished and the ditch filled.
Fun For Kids
The fun for the girls started before we got to the fort, they had great fun running down the dirt/grass track from the parking area, stopping to climb the little clusters of rocks and declaring themselves ‘’king of the castle’’.
On approaching Fort Le Marchant you see 5 large numbered boards, we later realised that these are for the rifle range which is onsite. Look for the colour of the flag that is flying, red flag indicates the range is in use. Thankfully the red flag wasn’t flying on the day we visited!
So much remains to explore at Fort Le Marchant and the girls instantly ran off to see what they could discover. Particular favourites were the windows looking out to sea and the gaeol, though they decided they didn’t want to stay the night!
We highly recommend visiting Fort Le Marchant with children of any age as there is so much to keep them entertained.
Address
Rue De La Fontenelle, Vale, Guernsey
Parking
Public car parks at Le Catelain or L’Ancresse Bay
Bus Routes
11 and 91
