Chapel Bay Fort

About the museum

Chapel Bay Fort was built in the 1890s to help defend the Milford Haven waterway. A battery was planned at Chapel Bay from the 1850s onwards; the fort was approved in 1890, finished in 1891 and armed with three 10-inch guns. More batteries followed, and the fort was rebuilt and re-armed with three 6-inch guns around 1900–1901. During the First World War it served as the examination battery for the Haven. The army left in 1932 and the site later passed to the Angle Estate; it was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1959.

From the 1960s the fort was used for farming and then decayed through weather, overgrowth, theft and vandalism. Volunteers began clearing it in 1994 and a charity, Chapel Bay Fort and Museum, was set up in 1995. A 10-inch gun was mounted on a new replica carriage in 2003, and major restoration work took place in 2013–14.

The fort opened to visitors at Easter 2015 and reopened at Easter 2022 after the Covid-19 closure. Visitors can see restored surface buildings, limewashed casemates, the 10-inch gun, the 6-inch gun emplacements, the Battery Control Station, the Master Gunner’s Quarters and the lit main magazines. It is run by volunteers.

Highlights

• Restored 10-inch gun on its skeleton carriage
• Casemate galleries and lit main magazines
• 6-inch gun emplacements and Battery Control Station
• Master Gunner’s Quarters
• Guided tours of the fort and outdoor exhibits
• The Cookhouse café on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Permanent exhibition

• Fort and museum galleries – Restored casemate galleries and gun positions with the 10-inch gun on its skeleton carriage, the Battery Control Station and the Master Gunner’s Quarters.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Chapel Bay Fort and Museum (charity)

Admission & discounts

The listed prices (adult £11.00, concession £9.90, child £7.70) include Gift Aid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ramped access throughout, although some ramps are uneven. Public areas include one flight of 14 steps with a handrail on one side, and one step leads into the museum casemates, with a ramped alternative. Museum doorways are 86 cm wide and not suitable for mobility scooters, which can join the guided tour but cannot reach all sheds. Seats are in many casemates. An accessible toilet is by the Cookhouse seating area; there is no Changing Places toilet. Blue-badge-style parking is by the main entrance. Recognised assistance dogs are welcome in all buildings; other dogs are welcome in the outdoor Cookhouse seating area and on the outdoor tour.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Family activities include searching for themed objects, finding hidden soldiers, a “WHAT AM I?” list and an “I Spy” memory game.

Getting there & parking

From Pembroke take the B4320 to Angle, turn left through the village towards West Angle Bay, then right up the lane signed for the fort. Satnavs may direct visitors past the lane to the West Angle Bay car park.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Cookhouse serves light meals, sandwiches, cakes and drinks during opening hours and sells souvenirs; entry to the café is free. Food and drink are not allowed in the casemates or display areas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit