Chudleigh Fort

Chudleigh Fort is a Civil War fortification located in a public park in Bideford, built in 1642 and significantly rebuilt in the 19th century. The fort features a five-sided platform with a stone-rubble retaining wall and a parapet that includes 14 openings for cannons. On the south side, there is a granite plaque with lead lettering that reads: "FORT ERECTED BY PARLIAMENTARY FORCES COMMANDED BY MAJOR-GEN. CHUDLEIGH. APRIL 1642." The fort currently houses seven old cannons mounted on wheeled wooden gun-carriages. An early to mid-19th century account describes it as being surrounded by a slight stone wall with a turreted top, constructed by its then-owner, J. S. Ley, Esq., of Durrant House, Northam. The fort is situated on elevated ground overlooking the River Torridge.