Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The site of a Georgian in date Martello tower number 12, which was built in 1806 as part of the coastal defence system against an invasion from Napoleonic France. Originally sited near the south end of Stade Street, it was demolished later in the same century when the promanade was constructed.

Monument Types

• MARTELLO TOWER (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• MARTELLO TOWER (Post Medieval - 1714 AD to 1836 AD)

Full description

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A Martello tower (No.12) is shown on the OS 1" first Edition, at

TR 16253415, but not on the OS 6" 1961. (1)

No trace, site occupied by road. (2)

Martello 12 together with Martello 10 (TR 13 SE 14) and Martello 11

(TR 13 SE 8) wre the first of the long line of low-level towers on the shore in front of Hythe. They were demolished during the 19th century when the promanade was made. No 12 stood at the south end of Stade Street. (3)

TR 163341. Martello 12 built in 1805. (4)

The Martello tower referred to above (Source 1) was marked on the Ordnance Survey First Series map (1816) but not on the 1st epoch Ordnance Survey Map (1877), though no Martello towers at Hythe appear to have been marked on this edition. (5-6)

<1> Field Investigators Comments (Unspecified Type). SWX23585.

<2> Field Investigators Comments (Unspecified Type). SWX23582.

<3> Sutcliffe, S., 1972, Martello Towers, pp 87-8 (Monograph). SKE7818.

<3> S. Sutcliffe, 1973, Martello Towers, pp 87-8 (Monograph). SWX23602.

<4> Bennett, D., 1977, A Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945, pp 38 (Monograph). SKE7811.

<5> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) (Unspecified Type). SWX23641.

<6> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) (Unspecified Type). SWX23650.

Sources and further reading

Related records