Battery Gardens is one of Brixham's environmental and historic assests, rich in panoramic views, scenic beauty and a traditional observation point for Brixham trawler races, both past and present.

The 14 acre site of Battery Gardens was first used as a battery in 1586 during the war between England and Spain. The Battery was not permanently armed but was certainly 'active' throughout the American War of Independence during the 1780's and the Napoleonic War against France during the 1800's. The Battery was also used by the Coast Guard for gunnery training during the 1870's.

All the can be seen today was built from June - September 1940 immediately following the defeat and evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk after the fall of France.

Of the 116 Emergency Batteries built in 1940 from John O'Groats to Kent, to Lands End, and to South Wales only 7 remain. Of these Brixham battery is the most complete. English Heritage had surveyed the whole site and it is now a scheduled monument.

"Battery" is a military term used to describe a number of artillery weapons and the solider's who operate them. The WW2 coast and defence batteries had two main guns, anti-aircraft weapons and, in the case of Brixham, extra harbour defence guns.

A total of about one hundred officers and solider's manned the Battery. The Battery was originally manned by solider's from the Royal Artillery, but following the receding threat of invasion the Battery was later manned by 378 Battery - of which almost all were members of the Home Guard.



The Local Heritage Initiative is a national organisation that is committed to preserving, funding and archiving England's rich and diverse local heritage. The Brixham Battery Heritage Centre Group is registered with the L.H.I and as well as securing grants from them we also have a website on their main website which explains the work that is going on at the battery. In regards to grants, the heritage group has been awarded £24,987 by the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £1500 by Nationwide Building Society.

This money has enabled the group to purchase a buggy that will allow less-abled people and the disabled to enjoy tours around the battery site without having to walk the distance. Furthermore, the money allowed the group to purchase top of the range IT equipment and a digital camera which has been invaluable to the promotion and creation of battery information and documentation.

The L.H.I liase often with the group and are very positive and helpful concerning our future progression as a charity. To the L.H.I we are stated as: 'A project which aims to raise awareness of a series of Second World War batteries as heritage features in their own right and their importance to the wartime heritage of the area. Restoration of the batteries will take place using teams of volunteers to prepare, landscape and be trained in architectural conservation techniques.

A virtual tour has been developed to enable visitors with disabilities to access the full site, again working with volunteers to develop the capacity of the group. Training will take place for another group to enable them to produce a video that will extend the use of the site into the wider community.

They will also install information boards for educational use by visitors and launch the finished project to the local community, particulaly schools and community groups who are already liasing with the Brixham Battery Heritage members.

We will continue to build our relationship with the L.H.I into the future and with their help and support enable us to restore the battery and build a diverse and comprehensive on-site visitors centre.