Photo Charles Taylor

Originally 103 towers were built between 1805 and 1812 to resist a potential invasion by Napoleon.

29 were built between Aldeburgh and St Osyth Stone between 1808 and 1812 to protect Essex and Suffolk, the rest having been built a few years earlier across the Kent and Sussex coasts. 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. A supporting fort, or Redoubt, was built at Harwich.

The largest tower is Martello CC, at Aldeburgh, which is effectively four towers joined together. After becoming derelict it was acquired by the Landmark Trust and after extensive repairs it was converted into holiday accommodation.

St Osyth to Felixstowe towers (A to Q).

 

Bawdsey to Hollesley towers (V to AA).

 

Martello towers AA & CC.

 

Martello	Location	Description
Martello A	St Osyth	Used as a museum
Martello C	Jaywick	Bought by Essex County Council as an arts venue for visual and digital arts, opening Sept '05. On the roof, is a purpose-built look-out station, to be used by the National Coastwatch Institute.
Martello D	Clacton	Unused
Martello E	Clacton	Once a water tower, now unused
Martello F	Clacton	Private, unused
Martello K	Walton	Private, unused
Martello L	Felixstowe	Private, unused
Martello M	Felixstowe	Once a water tower, now unused & private
Martello P	Felixstowe	Coastguard lookout, now unused
Martello Q	Felixstowe	Converted to a house
Martello T	Felixstowe	Private, unused
Martello U	Felixstowe	Unused
Martello V	Bawdsey	Pulled down and made into a sunken garden when Bawdsey Manor was built in late 1800s
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	Unique quadruple tower south of the town. Owned by The Landmark Trust, available for rent.