The Ferrybridge area has been used for various military activities over the last 150 years. All three services have made use of the area but the proximity of Portland Naval Base has been the main influence on the area.

The earliest known military activity was the construction of the rifle range around 1880 for use by the local volunteer militia. However it is likely that the green area on the beach was used for temporary encampments before this.

Following the construction of Portland Harbour and its use as a naval base many fortifications were built around the harbour but none were built in the Ferrybridge area. It is likely that the grassy area was used for temporary encampments throughout this period.

There is some limited evidence that the area was used by US forces during WW1.

Following WW1 the RE Bridging Camp at Wyke Regis was established in 1928 and expanded through WW2 and remains in use up to the present day.

A factory was opened in Wyke Regis making torpedoes for the Royal Navy and this operated from 1891 to 1966.

During WW2 there was considerable military activity in the area with anti-aircraft guns installed at several locations and anti-invasion measures implemented. A pipeline along Chesil Beach was built bypassing the road bridge in case of bomb damage to the bridge.

The area was heavily involved in preparations for the D-Day landings.

Following WW2 the military withdrew from the area. The only military-related activity was the building of sonar domes for RN ships at Tods yard and the testing of anchors on the sand flats.

WWII ant-invasion measures

During WWII a number of anti-invasion measures were implement around the Ferrybridge area. These include barbed-wire barriers, pillboxes and demolition charges. These have mostly disappeared but some pillboxes can still be seen and the rust stains from the barbed-wire fences can still be seen on the pebbles in some areas.

1880 Rifle Range target butts in 2025