Fort Leicester was built in 1836 on a site that has been fortified since the sixteenth century A French landing in Bouley Bay was repulsed by the Jersey Militia in 1549 and the site above the present day pier was fortified to prevent further incursions. The battery – named after the Earl of Leicester – was strengthened by the addition of a mounted demi-culverin in 1596 - one of the first cannons to appear in the Island. The battery was consolidated in the 17th and 18th centuries, and in 1836 the present-day fort was constructed with a stout guardhouse and cannon mounted on traversing platforms. Fort Leicester guarded Bouley Bay in partnership with L’Etacquerel Fort to the east .

During the Occupation, the German forces added a searchlight housing and concrete gun emplacements.