Fort Victoria is a former military fort on the Isle of Wight, England (), built to guard the Solent. The earliest fort on the site was a coastal fort known as Sharpenode Bulwark built in 1545–1547 by Henry VIII, but these defences had fallen into disrepair by the 17th century. Fort Victoria was built in the 1850s. It was a brick-built triangular fort with two seaward batteries meeting at a right angle. It remained in use until 1962. Parts of the fort were subsequently demolished; areas of the fort that were preserved have become part of Fort Victoria Country Park.
Location
Fort Victoria is situated on Sconce Point west of Yarmouth. Its position overlooks the whole of the Needles Passage and approaches to Yarmouth, Around to the southwest lies Fort Albert.
Earlier forts
The earliest fort on the site was Sharpenode Bulwark (also Sharpnode or Sharpnore) which was constructed in 1545–1547 as part of Henry VIII's coastal defences. It was about 700 metres east from an earlier fortification known as Worsley's Tower. Sharpenode Bulwark was a square earthwork with two angle bastions. The defences are said to have fallen into disrepair by 1623, It became a functioning part of the new batteries on the heights above. It effectively became a military barracks and storehouse until rearmed with more modern armament in the 1880s.
At the start of World War II the fort was used as a training battery for coastal gunners and it was equipped with torpedo tubes mounted on the pier. The fort is now a Grade II Listed Building. The fort houses a number of attractions including a Reptilarium, Visitor Centre and a model railway.
The derelict pier can still be seen.