History fanatic buys crumbling 19th century FORT that he plans to restore for the public

A history lover splashed out on a ruined 19th century fort – and plans to transform it into a tourist attraction.

Guy Anderson, 52, has built up an impressive property portfolio after he previously moved into an old gun tower and turned it into his home.

The businessman also snapped up a medieval tower just five years ago as another grand designs fixer-upper. 

A developer has purchased the Hubberston Fort, in Pembrokeshire, to restore into a tourist attraction that promotes the region’s ‘rich history’. Guy Anderson says he hopes to make it public and a potential venue for theatre or fashion shows

Hubberston Fort, in Wales, was built in 1860 and was named as one of Britain's most endangered archaeological sites in 2011

Hubberston Fort, in Wales, was built in 1860 and was named as one of Britain’s most endangered archaeological sites in 2011

Guy Anderson says the first step in its restoration is to 'work out what's there' before basic information panels are added

 Guy Anderson says the first step in its restoration is to ‘work out what’s there’ before basic information panels are added

Guy Anderson, a history fanatic who was a project manager for the Olympics, has a track record with historical sites having converted an old gun tower into his home and just five years ago he also acquired a medieval tower which he fixed up as well

Guy Anderson, a history fanatic who was a project manager for the Olympics, has a track record with historical sites having converted an old gun tower into his home and just five years ago he also acquired a medieval tower which he fixed up as well

But Guy is now set for a new challenge after he bought a the grade-II listed fort to open as a ‘living ruin’ for the public.

The plan is to open the doors of Hubberston Fort in Pembroke Dock, West Wales, as a place to explore while also hosting theatre nights.

Guy said: ‘It’s working out what’s there. First it’s cleaning it out, then installing some information panels and getting some basic exhibitions in there. It’s a blank canvas.

‘The barracks will need a huge amount of involvement and it would be nice in the future to put some smaller infrastructure in there so we could hold theatre or cinema nights.

‘I intend to put a stage in there, but I envisage it as a facility that people like the Torch Theatre could use.

‘On a beautiful summer day, it could be a place to hold a fashion show.’

The fort was built in 1860 and was named as one of Britain’s most endangered archaeological sites in 2011.

It acted as the last layer of defence before enemies reached the Royal Naval dockyard and cost £55,000 to build.

In World War I it housed up to 250 soldiers in its barracks and was used again in World War II as an army camp for American servicemen. 

Barracks were used during both world wars, first to house 250 soldiers and then in World War 2 as a camp for US soldiers

Barracks were used during both world wars, first to house 250 soldiers and then in World War 2 as a camp for US soldiers

The fort, which is currently closed to the public, is located on the Pembrokeshire coast overlooking Gelliswick beach in Wales

The fort, which is currently closed to the public, is located on the Pembrokeshire coast overlooking Gelliswick beach in Wales

Once an important part of country’s defence, Hubberston Fort has fallen into disrepair

Construction began on Hubberston Fort in 1860 but wasn’t completed until 1863 at a cost of £55,000.

It was part of a collection of defensive forts that were built following an inquiry into the UK’s ability to defend itself against a foreign invasion.

Designed in a D shape, the barracks had capacity for 250 men, sourced from the Royal Pembrokeshire Artillery and the 24th Regiment of Foot. 

it was abandoned after the First World War but was used as an army camp for US soldiers during the Second World War but has since fallen into disrepair. 

The structure later fell into disrepair after a string of failed projects to transform it.

Guy said: ‘I plan to turn it into a living ruin.

‘We have such a phenomenal history here, the forts we have in Pembrokeshire should rival any that you find in places like Portsmouth.

‘It needs a good clean and tidy to make it safe and then to open it up to the public. It can be somewhere you can walk to, have a look around and have a picnic.’

It comes 20 years after Guy, a Pembroke Dock Town Councillor, transformed the South West Gun Tower in Pembrokeshire into his home.

And just five years ago he bought the medieval Paterchurch Tower in the town to renovate.

Guy, who has worked as a project manager for the Olympics, says there will be no charge for visitors to the port but a donation box will be on site.

He said: ‘It seems a shame to have it locked behind closed doors when it’s part of the local history.

‘I want it to be accessible for everyone.’

Clare Stowell is director of property and tourism at the Port of Milford Haven – the authority that sold the fort.

She said: ‘The fort has been in the Port’s ownership for many years, forming a special part of the area’s rich history, and we have worked tirelessly to secure it in order to protect members of the public from coming to any harm.

‘Over the years we have considered a range of options for Hubberston Fort, but none of these have been commercially viable. 

There have been various bids to restore the fort in the past but all have been unsuccessful or not viable for its previous owners

There have been various bids to restore the fort in the past but all have been unsuccessful or not viable for its previous owners

Prior to Guy purchasing the site, the fort was managed by the Milford Haven Port Authority who had tried to make it safe

Prior to Guy purchasing the site, the fort was managed by the Milford Haven Port Authority who had tried to make it safe

Having previously been the site for non-fatal injuries to trespassers, the port authority says it has worked to make it secure

Having previously been the site for non-fatal injuries to trespassers, the port authority says it has worked to make it secure

‘Guy Anderson is hoping to partially open the fort to the public in the next couple of years as a managed ruin.’

She added: ‘Guy’s passion and experience in historic buildings means we are confident that Hubberston Fort will be safeguarded for the future.’