Gun Battery

The Battery was established by Charles Rashleigh in 1793 as part of the original development of the harbour. Charlestown is the only mineral port in Cornwall with its own defence and the only place where both elements survive.

The Battery was originally manned by the Crinnis Cliff volunteers, formed in  1795, which became the Crinnis Cliff Artillery in 1800. By 1803 they became pert of the Cornish Artillery Volunteers. It was annexed in 1812 to the 6^th or Pendennis Regiment (Artillery) which lasted until at least 1828. The site was then disbanded and the Battery disused before being abandoned in 1897.

The Battery is a crenellated walled enclosure, roughly semi-circular in plan with an entrance at the western end. The original walling is mainly rubble masonry with granite capstones. Part of the wall at the western end has been rebuilt using some brick. Within the structure are the remains of a roofed structure, probably an equipment store dating from 1795 and a brick built magazine store, mapped in 1882.

Recent works by the Charlestown History Group together with other community efforts have seen clearance work on the site to make it into a community space with views over the village and away from the hustle and bustle of the harbour area. In March 2023 a flagpole was raised to replace one originally installed in the mid 1790’s. The raising of the St Piran’s flag on 4^th March 2023 marked the first of further special events when you will be able to see a flag flying above the village.