[TR 15883400] The Martello Tower (NR) (1) Now a private dwelling "The Martello Tower". (2) TR 159340. Martello 13 built in 1805 and still surviving. (3) At the western end of West parade, Hythe, this tower was spared when the others were destroyed. It was sold by the War Department in 1906, and has been a dwelling since 1928, when a builder, A J Glock whose ambition it was to live in a martello, carried out altrations and named it Place Forte. It was bought in 1937 by Edgar Wheeler. At the outbreak of World War II it was requisitioned and become an observation post for the coast artillery for shelling the French coast. The present owner, Mr Ronald Ward, has since carried out a complete conversion. It is now known simply and properly as the Martello tower. (4)

The slightly elliptical, brick-built tower, was constructed on three levels, with no surrounding moat or associated earthwork. It stands to its original height of around 10m. Numerous alterations and additions have been made, including the construction of a single storey observation post on the roof when the tower was requisitioned during World War II. A 24-pounder gun and gun carriage, possibly the original items, lie in the front garden of the tower. The historic fabric and visual amenity of the tower has been compromised by its conversion to a dwelling, which includes the insertion of numerous, large windows and the construction of a surrounding wall. Scheduling is not recommended. (5-7)

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> F1 CFW 18-APR-1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE42622.

<2> 1962, OS Card / NAR index entry, F1 CFW 18-APR-1962 (Unpublished document). SWX23581.

<3> Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 38 (D Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE43679.

<3> Bennett, D., 1977, A Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945, p38 (Monograph). SKE7811.

<4> Martello Towers 1972 88 (S Sutcliffe) (OS Card Reference). SKE46560.

<4> Sutcliffe, S., 1972, Martello Towers, p88 (Monograph). SKE7818.

<5> Field report for monument TR 13 SE 2 - April, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5369.

<5> R. M. Telling, 1997, English Martello Towers: A Concise Guide, p33; Plate 6 (Monograph). SWX23570.

<6> Field report for monument TR 13 SE 2 - April, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5369.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912, 1908/1:2500 (Map). SWX11833.

<7> English Heritage Alternative Action Report (Unspecified Type). SWX23567.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1928-1947, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947, 1946/1:2500 (Map). Ske12644.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 2009, OS MasterMap, 2009/MasterMap (Cartographic materials). SWX15710.