Several of the forts surrounding Plymouth were built as a result of a decision in Lord Palmerston's premiership to deter the French from attacking naval bases in the south of the country.

Examples of the forts are Agaton Fort , Bowden Fort , Crownhill Fort, Egg Buckland Keep , Ernesettle Fort , Fort Austin , Fort Bovisand, Fort Efford , Mount Edgcumbe Garden Battery , Picklecombe Fort, Polhawn Fort , Fort Scraesdon ,Staddon Fort , Fort Tregantle , Whitesand Bay Battery and Woodlands Fort