Tucked away in the Bristol Channel, the island of Steep Holm is steeped in military history. Fortified in the 1860s as part of a defensive network protecting the ports of Bristol, Cardiff, and Newport, the island once housed a series of batteries, each with underground magazines for storing cartridges and filled shells. Among these facilities was the Shifting Lobby - a crucial space where soldiers changed into spark-proof clothing before handling explosives.

Today, thanks to the dedication and craftsmanship of Mark Harris, a Steep Holm Trustee and member of the Palmerston Forts Society, one of these Shifting Lobbies has been meticulously restored.

A restoration challenge

With approval from the trustees but on the condition that costs were kept to a minimum Mark took on the challenge single-handedly, relying on his own skills and resourcefulness. His first step was researching the original design, consulting experts at the Palmerston Forts Society and conducting field visits to Fort Nelson.

Recreating the past

• The Cartridge Store Door – Mark built a brand-new wooden door from scratch, using the existing Victorian frame and hinges as a guide. Finding the right imperial-sized timber was tricky, but a local sawmill provided a custom-cut solution.
• Benches & Coat Pegs – The Shifting Lobby originally had two-inch-thick timber benches and rows of coat pegs. Mark had one original peg and backboard but no lathe to turn new ones. A company in Bridgwater stepped in to craft exact replicas.
• Painting & Finishing Touches – The entire room was repainted in its authentic ochre red shade, using Dulux Heritage paint. While expensive, it provided the perfect match.

Innovation & ingenuity

One of the biggest challenges was the magazine lighting window frame. Quotes for a brass replica ranged from £8,000 to £10,000 - far beyond budget. Undeterred, Mark taught himself new skills and scratch-built the frame himself, achieving an astonishingly accurate result.

Even the door’s brass rim lock came with a story - after searching extensively, Mark finally found a solid period piece on eBay, complete with internals. The key isn’t original, but you’d never know!

Preserving Steep Holm’s legacy

This project is a testament to dedication and craftsmanship, bringing a piece of Victorian military history back to life. Thanks to Mark’s hard work and ingenuity, visitors to Steep Holm can now step inside a faithfully restored Shifting Lobby, experiencing the island’s past as it once was.

Would you like to explore this unique historical site? Book a visit and see the restoration for yourself!