It was built between 1888 and 1894 to defend HMNB Devonport from Whitsand Bay area and was infilled to form a car park in the early 1970s.

Tregantle Down Battery was designed with four RML 9-inch 12-ton guns that were adapted to fire at a high angle.

This allowed shells to be dropped down to inflict maximum damage on the vulnerable upper decks of an enemy vessel rather than their heavily armoured sides.

[2] The construction of the battery was carried out by Messrs Debnam and Son of Plymouth between 18 August 1888 and 30 June 1894 at a cost of £4,231.

[2] Two position finding cells to direct the battery's guns were built below in Crowstone field, above Tregantle Down Cliff, in 1893.