It acted as a hinge between the forts on Portsdown Hill and those of the Gosport Advanced Line, filling the gap at Fareham.

Due to the need to protect the ground in front of the Gosport Advanced Line and because of its isolated position Fort Fareham was constructed as a polygonal work with a strong ability to defend itself from being overrun.

The ramparts to the south were subject to enfilade fire and were therefore given a greater measure of protection by hiding the guns in a complex range of Haxo casemates.

The fort is surrounded by a ditch that was intended to be wet but problems with obtaining and holding water in this meant that for much of its life the northern portion remained dry.

The ditch is ably protected by a grand caponier to the west with smaller demi-caponiers at the north, southwest and south salient angles.

The report of the 1869 Defence Committee concluded that Fort Fareham was '...skilfully constructed as regards stability and permanency and when completed according to the approved plans will be suited to the requirements of modern armaments, and when its ditch was filled with water would afford a fair amount of resistance to any attack to which it may be exposed.

In 1905 the Portsmouth Fortress Defence Scheme[9] called for the occupation of Fort Fareham, during the precautionary period, by forty four men of No.

[10] Sometime after 1900 stables, a harness room and vehicle shed were added to the parade adjacent to the west gun ramp.

From 1928 to 1945 the Officers’ Mess served as the HQ for 35th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery and Gun Operation Room.

[13] The fort became surplus to requirements in 1965 when it was sold by the Ministry of Defence to Fareham Urban District Council.

Shortly afterwards, in 1974, a contractor acting for a Property Company, who had leased the fort from Fareham Council, cleared the ramparts of vegetation by bulldozing it flat.

During the Cold War the main magazine and the adjacent south west caponier served for a brief period as Fareham Borough Emergency Centre to be used by the Council’s chosen few in the event of a nuclear attack.

It was also to serve as part of 2 Group 10 Brigade Anti Aircraft Operations Room for the Portsmouth and Southampton Gun Defended Area.

The main west caponier has suffered years of neglect resulting in extensive damage to its outer brickwork.

The surrounding wooded scarp, covered way and glacis now forms an area of wildground which seems to be managed by Fareham Council.