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Knowle battery

1 ha

📷 Mick Lobb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

50.41629, -4.16461

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About Knowle battery

Knowles Battery is a former 19th-century fort, built as a result of the Royal Commission on National Defence of 1859. Part of an extensive scheme known as Palmerston Forts, after the prime minister who championed the scheme, it was built to defend the landward approaches to the north east of Plymouth, as an element of the plan for the defence of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport.

Read more on Wikipedia →
Artillery batteryscheduled monumentc. 1863

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🛝Playground 261m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· PaidPlayground

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Magpie, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull +72 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull +72 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Nabis (Tropiconabis) capsiformis, Hornet, Common Red Soldier Beetle +65 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Nabis (Tropiconabis) capsiformis, Hornet, Common Red Soldier Beetle +65 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Hedera helix, Bramble, Hart's-Tongue +31 more · last seen 2024; Plants — Hedera helix, Bramble, Hart's-Tongue +31 more · last seen 2024

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Foraging

Plants — Bramble, Beech, Common Nettle +2 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
West Devon WayWalking route
Named routeRef WDERegional walking route
Tamar Valley Discovery TrailWalking route
Named routeRef TDTRegional walking route
Plymouth City TrailWalking route
Named routeRef PCTLocal walking route
The Co-operative WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Budshead Wood Red Walking RouteWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

73 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN 2 linkCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
NCN 27 linkCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Dawlish to Plymouth

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Riverside cycle trail at SaltramCycling route3.2 km

Perfect for families, young children, and those new to cycling, the terrain is largely flat with one steep hill.

Named routeLength 3.2 kmDuration 00:30Round tripLocal cycle route
Route 27Cycling route
Named routeRef 27National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Route 2 Plymouth to St. AustellCycling route
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Knowles Battery, Plymouth

📷 Mick Lobb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Knowles Battery, Plymouth

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Central ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Stonehouse CreekUrban park4.9 km→🌱Huntley GardensUrban park3.1 km→🦉BIRCHAM VALLEYNature reserve3.8 km→🌱Devonport ParkUrban park4.6 km→🌱Victoria ParkUrban park4.6 km→

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