Salty Spotlights: The History of Mount Batten Peninsula

Welcome to the first of the ‘Salty Spotlights’ series where we ask our Coastal Ranger team to give an insight into all things salty. From a day-in-the-life, maritime heritage to natural history and favourite ice creams!

Today you’ll be introduced to the history of Mount Batten Peninsula written by Coastal Ranger Lilah:

Prominently placed at the heart of Mount Batten peninsula, the Mount Batten Tower is a key landmark in Plymouth’s skyline. It is almost 400 years old, built to defend the Cattewater by guarding the channel that links the city to the open sea.​

While the exact date for completion of the Tower is not determined, it was built in the early 1650s after the English Civil War. We can be sure that it was built during the Commonwealth of England (which ran from 1649-1660), because the stone above the doorway held the symbol for the town of Plymouth, rather than the King’s coat of Arms, meaning that the tower must have been built when there was no King or Monarchy! The Tower also mirrors Cromwell’s Castle which was built Isles of Scilly by (you guessed it) Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England in 1651.

Built 9m tall with 1m thick walls, Mount Batten Tower held key defensive territory, especially as it was erected before the Citadel which didn’t start construction until 1665.  We know that it was built as a defensive structure because of the ‘weak points’ (windows and doors) are facing the Plymouth side, indicting that this was the ‘safe’ side and that attacks were expected from Plymouth Sound and beyond.

Did you know?

• Mount Batten peninsula was originally called ‘Hoo Start’ or ‘Howe Stert’ and was renamed in the 17^th century after General William Batten who brought 300 men to the peninsula in the late 1640s re-dig the defensive earthworks.
• Victorian quarrying is the reason that the centre of the peninsula is now more of a cliff, it had to be stopped for fear the tower would collapse.
• The entrance to the tower would have originally been a ladder.
• The roof of the tower was built to hold 10 cannons, but only ever held 6 at one time. There are currently three reclaimed cannons on the roof.
• The Tower is a mile from Drake’s Island

With hundreds of years of history within it, Mount Batten Tower is a staple of Plymouth’s history and is definitely worth a visit. It also helps that the view from the roof is a 360-degree panoramic of the Marine Park, one of the best in Plymouth!

So, how can you visit Mount Batten Tower?

This is not a complete history of Mount batten Tower! If you would like to know more and take a look around, it now opens once a month throughout the summer period thanks to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre.

In terms of actually getting there, the best way to get to Mount Batten is via water taxi! Leaving from the Barbican Landing Stage at quarter past and quarter to the hour the Mount Batten ferry will take you across the water and drop you off (on the new pontoon) just in front of the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre. From there, it’s a short 2-minute uphill walk to the Tower.

You can also get the number 2 bus that runs from the Royal Parade to Lawrence Road, where it’s a short 2-minute uphill walk to the Tower.

If you fancy walking or cycling, it’s just under 2 hours to walk from Plymouth City Centre, across the Laira bridge and around Hooe Lake, you could even check out Radford Castle and Radford Woods Local Nature reserve on your way round.

Is there anything else to do?

It’s not just all about the Tower, there’s plenty to do on the rest of the peninsula. The area around the Tower is a newly developed wildflower garden and is a great nature spot for good views of the Sound and butterfly spotting during the warmer months.

Despite undergoing redevelopment, the Mount Batten Centre is still up and running, offering kayaking and SUP sessions throughout the summer, some specifically for school holidays.

The South West Coastal Path runs the whole way around Mount Batten and trails up to Jennycliff, over to Bovisand and even as far as Wembury and beyond if you are feeling adventurous. Classed as a ‘moderate walk’ this route boasts some stunning sea views across Plymouth Sound and beyond, as well as passing by some perfectly located cafes, including the Galley Kitchen in Mount Batten, Jennycliff Café and Café Bovisands. Enjoy a beautiful seaside walk, a tasty bite and finish (or start) with a trip to the Tower!

When can you come and visit?

Our next Mount Batten Tower open day is on 22^nd August 2026. The Tower will be open for free from 10-3pm and there will be a kid’s heritage and nature trail to take part in as well! Come along and bask in the views of the National Marine Park, have lunch in the wildflower gardens at the bottom and learn a little bit more about this not-so-hidden heritage gem.

Find out when else the Tower is open on our events page.

Thank you to Martin Read from the University of Plymouth for providing some of the above information on Mount Batten.