The Cannon Fort And Adjoining Dock

The Cannon Fort and adjoining dock is a mock fort built around 1750 for the fifth Lord Byron. It was restored in 1986 and features coursed and squared rubble and ashlar construction. The fort has a plinth, a string course, and a crenellated parapet, with nine round bosses on the lake side. It includes a semi-circular central bay flanked by single triangular bastions, each with curved steps. Each bastion has a circular tower; the one to the southwest is roofless, while the northeast tower has a dome topped with a ball finial and two square openings. Both towers have moulded pointed doorways, and the rear of the fort features seven pointed arched recesses. The adjoining dock to the northeast has slab coping. This fort was designed to be an eye catcher across the lake and served as a mooring for the ship that the fifth Lord Byron used to entertain friends with mock naval battles.