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Eastbourne Redoubt, on Royal Parade, was built in the early nineteenth century. In response to the threat of a possible invasion by Napoleon, the British Government began a massive building program to defend the south coast. 74 Martello Towers were built as well as three circular fortresses (redoubts) at Eastbourne, Dymchurch and Harwich.

Nelson’s victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 ended any risk that Britain would be invaded. By 1859 advances in warfare and artillery meant that a British Government report found that the Martello Towers and Redoubts were ‘not an important element of security against attack’. The Redoubt slowly fell into disuse.

During the First World War the Redoubt was used by military police as a headquarters and temporary jail. During the Second World War the building was requisitioned by the army to be used for storage. Canadian troops also spent time there in the build up to the D-Day landings.

The redoubt opened as a military museum in 1977, and is now the largest military museum in south east England. It houses collections from The Royal Sussex Regiment, The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, and the Sussex Combined Services Collection.

The fortress was originally equipped with ten 24-pounder guns. When it opened as a museum, no 24-pounders like the originals could be found. Portsmouth City Council agreed to loan several smaller guns, like this one, and they are sited around the gun deck.

Link (Archive Link ) Eastbourne Museums “History of the Redoubt
Link Wikipedia article