Overview

Arriving at Fort George you are left with an air of uncertainty as you sweep in to the lightly gravelled car park. A solitary sign proclaims you arrival and a single path disappears between the grass covered ramparts. Turning first one way and then another the mystery unfolds as a large drawbridge welcomes you to venture across and through the archway. But what next?

Transport & Parking

Getting to Fort George is one of those adventures where you really need your own transport. You could get a bus to the nearby village but you’d be faced with a thirty minute walk along the narrow road to get to the Fort.

Access

A large wind swept, at least when we visited, car park offered plenty of space. The breeze from off the sea was cool and some would say a touch bracing. A line of four of five accessible parking bays was to be found near the entrance pathway. Following the mysterious path through the ramparts, across the white painted drawbridge, in through the cobbled tunnel, we emerged on to an enclosed green. A building to the right housed the ticket office and a gift shop. The entrance has a small step but a portable ramp was quickly deployed to ease wheeling in and starting our visit of discoveries. For a Fort of some years standing the access was remarkably good. We were able to wheel across the next white painted wooded drawbridge, trundle over the few metres of cobbles, and emerge in to the enormous square like parade area. From that point on wheeling around was relatively easy. We couldn’t help thinking that may be they had to wheel big canons and ammunition chests around in years past; a point that wasn’t lost on modern day wheelchair users! We dipped in and out of the various exhibition areas with relative ease. A striking characteristic of the Fort was that it faced inland to defend land based uprisings rather than attach from the adjacent sea. The regimental museum was a blaze of colour and had a sense of ceremony with lots to see and explore. Out and about there were barracks to explore, a chapel to visit, stables, and of course the obligatory tea room! Delicious cakes and a wonderful bacon roll.

Toilets

Toilets were to be found in several locations with the main ones in the core of the buildings. A ramp up to the door, a large lobby area and great accessible loos with plenty of space.

Staff

As has been the case in previous visits; the staff were helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. They were keen to point out what to see, where to explore and the highlights was a great help.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Visiting Fort George was one of those places were you had a sense that there was something for everyone. The younger generation loved climbing up on the ramparts, exploring the canons and peering out from the sentry posts. Those of us of more mature years appreciated the opportunity to just sit awhile and admire the amazing views and watch the world go by. The tactile nature of many of the exhibits and features of the Fort were a delight to find. My colleague loved the large tactile model of the Fort and its layout, the audio tour and the audio displays. The audio displays had induction loop facilities too. For those who may find walking the six hundred plus metres from end to end may find the loan mobility scooters or wheelchairs helpful.

Photos