Anchuthengu Fort is a cool 30 minute halt on way to Varkala beach in Kerala

Take a halt at Anchuthengu Fort while travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Varkala along the Western Coast in South Indian state of Kerala.

An over 300 years old structure, this was built by British East India Company in 1699 after obtaining permission from the local queen. It was a signalling station for the ships coming from England.

You can also see the Lighthouse in the background.

In 1697, locals attacked the incomplete fort but the English prevailed.

The fort had 4 bastions having eight 18 pounder guns. The fort played an important role in Anglo-Mysore wars and the EIC stored ammunition here.