Originally built as a Napoleonic Fort in the early 19th century, having recently being renovated, the Jaywick Martello Tower now acts as a central hub for the local community and visitors.

Martello Towers

Martello Towers, or ‘Martellos’, were small defensive forts first built in the South East of England during the Napoleonic War between 1805 and 1808. They were built throughout the British Empire, in 5 different continents, during the first half of the 19th Century. 103 in total were built around Britain, after the South East, a large number can be found in Essex, Suffolk and in Ireland.

Martello towers were inspired by a round fortress at Mortella Point in Corsica (completed 1565). In 1794 two British warships spent two days attacking the tower at Mortella Point and were unsucessful. This impressed the British who copied the design for the British Martello Towers.

Kent and Sussex Martello Towers

Originally 103 towers were built between 1805 and 1812 to resist a potential invasion by Napoleon. They were built of brick, 13 foot thick on the seaward side, stood about 30 foot high and were equipped with a cannon on the roof.

74 were built along the Kent and Sussex coastlines from Folkstone to Seaford between 1805 and 1808, the other 29 to protect Essex and Suffolk.

Martello No. 1 Folkestone – Converted to a house in 2003
Martello No. 2 Folkestone – Converted to a holiday let
Martello No. 3 Folkestone – Used as a Visitor Centre
Martello No. 4 Folkestone – Private, unused and overgrown
Martello No. 5 Sandgate – Private, in school grounds
Martello No. 6 Sandgate – Private, unused and overgrown
Martello No. 7 Sandgate – Private, unused and overgrown
Martello No. 8 Sandgate – Converted to a house
Martello No. 9 Hythe – Private, unused and overgrown
Martello No. 10 Hythe – Demolished
Martello No. 11 Hythe – Demolished
Martello No. 12 Hythe – Demolished
Martello No. 13 Hythe – Converted to a house
Martello No. 14 Hythe – Private, in good condition, on army firing range
Martello No. 15 Hythe – Private, in good condition, on army firing range
Martello No. 16 Hythe – Demolished by the sea
Martello No. 17 Hythe – Demolished
Martello No. 18 Hythe – Demolished
Martello No. 19 Hythe – Partially demolished by the sea
Martello No. 20 Dymchurch – Demolished
Martello No. 21 Dymchurch – Demolished
Martello No. 22 Dymchurch – Demolished
Martello No. 23 Dymchurch – Converted to a house
Martello No. 24 Dymchurch – Operated by English Heritage
Martello No. 25 Dymchurch – Unused
Martello No. 26 Dymchurch – Demolished
Martello No. 27 Dymchurch – Demolished
Martello No. 28 Rye – Unused and overgrown
Martello No. 29 Rye – Demolished by the sea
Martello No. 30 Rye – Private, overgrown in a back garden
Martello No. 31-54 Rye to Bexhill – Demolished, or washed away by the sea
Martello No. 55 Norman’s Bay – Restored
Martello No. 56-59 Norman’s Bay to Pevensey – Demolished, or washed away by the sea
Martello No. 60 Pevensey – Converted to a house
Martello No. 61 Pevensey – Unused
Martello No. 62 Pevensey – Converted to a house
Martello No. 64 Pevensey – Unused
Martello No. 65 Pevensey – Demolished by the sea
Martello No. 66 Eastbourne – Unused
Martello No. 67-72 Eastbourne – Demolished, or washed away by the sea
Martello No. 73 Eastbourne – Set in public gardens owned by the Council.
Martello No. 74 Seaford – Open to public

Essex and Suffolk Martello Towers

The tower at Jaywick has been fully restored and is now an exhibition space. A unique heritage centre on the coast for visitors and the community, Jaywick Martello Tower is one of twenty-nine defences built on the east coast of England between 1808 and 1812 to defend the country from attacks from Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies.

Martello A St Osyth – Used as a museum
Martello C Jaywick – Open to the Public
Martello D Clacton – Unused
Martello E Clacton – Unused
Martello F Clacton – Private, unused
Martello K Walton – Private, unused
Martello L Felixstowe – Private, unused
Martello M Felixstowe – Private, unused
Martello P Felixstowe – Unused
Martello Q Felixstowe – Converted to a house
Martello T Felixstowe – Private, unused
Martello U Felixstowe – Unused
Martello V Bawdsey – Pulled down and converted into a sunken garden
Martello W Bawdsey – Converted into a house in 1985
Martello X Bawdsey – Washed into the sea in the early 20th century
Martello Y Bawdsey – Converted into a house in 2010
Martello Z Alderton – Unused
Martello AA Shingle Street – Converted to house
Martello BB River Ore – Demolished in 1822
Martello CC Aldeburgh – Converted to a holiday let

Jaywick Martello Tower

Visitors can explore the history of the tower through an exhibition hosted on the ground floor, as well as getting up close to a replica cannon, and enjoying wonderful views across the sea from the roof. The first floor is an arts and heritage space which frequently hosts exhibitions often inspired by the local, coastal environment and history.

The Tower is open to the public on a regular basis and has a year-round programme of talks, workshops and events. Visit the Jaywick Martello Tower Website for details.

Travelling to Jaywick Martello Tower

Jaywick Martello Tower is a thriving arts, heritage and community venue on the beautiful Jaywick Sands coastline near Clacton-on-Sea. If travelling by car use the postcode CO15 2LF.

Nearby Accommodation

There are some lovely self-catering cottages in Clacton-on-Sea and the surrounding area, we recommend Snatrip who offer a wide range of options.

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