Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1806 to 1999 Martello Tower umber 2 was built in 1806 as a gun post against a possible Napoleonic invasion, to plans by Colonel Twiss and Captain Ford. The circular tower is built of brick with rendered walls and comprises two-storeys with a flat roof. The tower was converted to a dwelling house in the late 20th century. Scheduled.

Images

Monument Types

• MARTELLO TOWER (Post Medieval to Modern - 1806 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Description from record TR 23 NW 28:
(TR 23983698) Martello Tower (No.2) (NAT) (1) Scheduled. (2) Roofed and in good condition. (3) Descheduled. (4) Martello Tower No.2, one of three martello towers in Wear Bay Road, along the cliff top, and the easternmost group of this series. The round, three-storeyed towers were built in 1806 as gun-posts against a possible Napoleonic invasion, to plans by Colonel Twiss and Captain Ford. The name is taken from the Torre della Mortello on Corsica which had resisted English attack in 1794. (5) TR 241368. Martello tower No.2, built in 1805. Houses and roads have crept towards this tower, which is on a knoll slightly more inland and fifty feet below martello tower No.1 (TR 23 NW 27). In 1964 it was bought from Folkestone Corporation and has been converted into a dwelling. The exterior is painted white. (6,7) 5281 Martello Tower No 2, Wear Bay Road. TR 23 NW 10/16B (SP/701) Grade II. Martello Tower, residentially converted in later C20. Built 1806, as a gun-post against a possible Napoleonic invasion, to plans by Colonel Twiss and Captain Ford. Brick walls, rendered. Two storeys. Circular building, but with walls tapering inwards as they rise; flat roof. Original first floor door on SW converted to a window; entrance now at ground floor on east. Two original first floor openings also retained on SW close to original doorway, but with C20 windows inserted. Four other windows also closely spaced on this side of tower. Interior: retains centre brick pier and brick vaulting at first and ground floors; magazine on east at ground floor. Original corbel for floors at first floor level. One of three Martello Towers in Wear Bay Road, these three comprising the eastern-most of the whole series in this part of Kent. (8)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
SCHEDULE 1. 5281 WEAR BAY ROAD
TR 23 NW 10/16B Martello Tower N?2 (SP/701) II G V 2. Martello Tower, residentially converted in later C20. Built 1806, as a gun-post against a possible Napoleonic invasion, to plans by Colonel Twiss and Captain Ford. Brick walls, rendered. Two storeys. Circular building, but with walls tapering inwards as they rise; flat roof. Original first floor door on SW converted to a window; entrance now at ground floor on east. Two original first floor openings also retained on SW close to original doorway, but with C20 windows inserted. Four other windows also closely spaced on this side of tower. Interior: retains centre brick pier and brick vaulting at first and ground floors; magazine on east at ground floor. Original corbel for floors at first floor level. One of three Miartello rowers in Wear Bay Road, these three comprising the eastern-most of the whole series in this part of Kent.
Listing NGR: TR2398036980 (9)

Additional reference (10)

Southern Water Services, 1993, Dover & Folkestone Wastewater Treatment scheme Environmental Statement (Unpublished document). SKE6815.

<1> OS 50" 1956 (OS Card Reference). SKE48292.

<2> AM Eng & Wales 1961 59 (OS Card Reference). SKE33010.

<3> F1 CFW 24.04.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42738.

<4> Letter (HBMC) 28 3 85 (OS Card Reference). SKE46035.

<5> Bldgs of Eng NE and E Kent 1980 327 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37796.

<6> Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 40 (D Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE43681.

<7> Martello Towers 1972 86 (S Sutcliffe) (OS Card Reference). SKE46556.

<8> DOE(HHR) Amendment Dist of Shepway Kent 29 4 86 (OS Card Reference). SKE40805.

<9> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<10> Field report for monument TR 23 NW 28 - April, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5613.

Sources and further reading