How to read a Martello tower
A few clues help you tell a south coast tower from an east coast one, and see how it worked.
Opening times, entry and access change. Check with the people who look after the tower you’re visiting, such as English Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, Parks Canada or the James Joyce Tower, before you set off. Details here show the date we checked them. Many surviving towers are private homes: look from the outside only.
What to look for
- The only door was on the first floor, reached by a ladder that could be pulled up, or by a drawbridge where there was a moat. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
- Although they look round, the south coast towers are elliptical, with thicker walls on the seaward side. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
- The south coast towers had two small side windows; the east coast towers had four. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
- The east coast towers have letters, not numbers: A at St Osyth to CC at Slaughden, just south of Aldeburgh, starting again at AA after Z. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
- About one in five towers had a dry moat, usually 5 metres deep and 10 metres wide. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
- Many have been lost to erosion, and many survivors are now private homes. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
Entry (checked 3 Nov 2026)
Entry to the James Joyce Tower is free. James Joyce Tower: Visit · checked 3 Nov 2026
Before you set off
The tower is about a five-minute walk from Dymchurch station on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. English Heritage: Dymchurch Martello Tower
Inside, the stairs to the roof and to the ground floor are very steep. English Heritage: Dymchurch Martello Tower
Tower 74 at Seaford is a museum run by the Seaford Museum and Heritage Society. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers At Tower D at Jaywick in Essex there is an exhibition, a replica cannon and views from the roof. Historic England, Heritage Calling blog: A Brief Introduction to Martello Towers
Next: the big facts page →