The northern of two coastal defence platforms above Jenny's Cove, Lundy

Reasons for Designation

Lundy is a small, steep sided island in the Bristol Channel, 16m north of Hartland Point, north Devon. Aligned north-south, it is 6km long by 1km wide and supports a predominately moorland vegetation. The 100m high cliffs and tabular form give it a striking appearance, visible in clear weather from parts of south west England and south Wales. Lundy's remoteness and (until the 19th century construction of the Beach Road) its inaccessibility, combined with a lack of shelter and cultivable soils, has meant that it has escaped more recent occupation or development. It therefore preserves a remarkable variety of archaeological sites from early prehistory (c.8000 BC) onwards, representing evidence for habitation, fortification, farming and industry. There are also archaeological remains in the waters surrounding the island - over 150 shipwrecks are already recorded. Most of the island's archaeology is well documented from detailed survey in the 1980s and 1990s.

Around Lundy's coast, and situated both in cliff top and shoreline positions, is a series of structures designed to defend the island. These varied in form and scale from the stronghold now known as Marisco Castle, to the smaller and more ephemeral gun platforms built to support musketeers. That these positions were principally for the purpose of preventing a landing is supported by their location above and around the more vulnerable bays and beaches, such as the Landing Bay and Jenny's Cove. Although the precise dating and function is unclear, it is likely that some will date to the time of the Civil War, while others may relate to coastal piracy which was prevalent in the Bristol Channel between the 15th and 18th centuries. This coastal defence platform above Jenny's Cove survives well and forms an important part of the system of gunnery platforms around the island. The platform overlooks the landing place in Jenny's Cove and the path up from it.

Details

The monument includes a revetted platform at the top of the cliff on the north side of Jenny's Cove on Lundy's west side. It commands the top of the path which leads from the landing below. It is one of a number of defensive coastal sites which complement the refurbished Marisco Castle at the southern tip of the island. The platform is built back against a natural outcrop and has revetment walls of drystone on the north and west sides. The platform measures 8m by 5.5m. It seems to have been designed as a platform for musketeers rather than cannon. The monument is associated with another revetted platform about 50m to the south west, which is the subject of a separate scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

27642

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Gardner, K, Archaeology of Lundy, (1972)

End of official list entry

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