Martello Tower Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Posted by: 
Morn Hyland
N 52° 08.250 E 001° 35.881
31U E 404050 N 5777258
The Tower is the only surviving building of the fishing village of Slaughden, which had been washed away by the North Sea by 1936..
Waymark Code: WMB3FA
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/30/2011
Views: 18
As a unique quatrefoil design this Martello tower it stands at the isthmus leading to the Orford Ness shingle spit. It is the largest and northernmost of 103 defensive towers put up by the Board of Ordnance between 1808 and 1812 to resist a Napoleonic invasion.
Built in the shape of a quatrefoil for four heavy guns, nearly a million bricks were used in its construction.
Amber and bloodstones, brought by glaciers from Scandinavia, have been found on the beach nearby.
It was bought by the Landmark Trust sadly in damaged condition , in 1971, with eight acres of saltings. The derelict 1930s superstructure (once rather elegant, by Justin Vulliamy) was removed and the outer brickwork and parapet was repaired. The vaulted interior, which has a floor of teak and an intriguing echo was also restored..
It is now in fine condition and sits proudly on the shingle promontory. There is a sailing club close by and lovely walks on the marsh .
The Landmark Trust now runs it as holiday apartments.
The village of Aldebugh is a small seaside town on the unspoilt East Suffolk coast. In the 16th Century it was a thriving port and ship building area, becoming a fishing village and seaside resort in the 19th Century. Aldeburgh provides an excellent base for those wanting a peaceful seaside holiday during which they can enjoy the miles of unspoilt shingle coastline and heath lands of this remarkable area.
www.aldeburgh-uk.com
(
visit link)