Dymchurch Martello Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dymchurch Martello Tower |
|
|---|---|
Tower 24
|
|
| Location | High Street, Dymchurch |
| OS grid reference | TR10164 29252 |
| Area | Kent |
| Built | 1805 |
| Owner | English Heritage |
| Official name: Martello tower no 24 at Dymchurch | |
| Designated | 9 October 1981 |
| Reference no. | 1014626 |
|
Listed Building – Grade II
|
|
| Official name: Martello Tower No 24 | |
| Designated | 23 April 1985 |
| Reference no. | 1061124 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Dymchurch Martello Tower is a special old building located in Dymchurch, Kent, England. It stands right behind the sea wall, looking out towards the coast. This tower is a type of small, round fort called a Martello tower.
This historic tower is very important. It has been officially recognized by English Heritage. This means it is a scheduled monument and also a Grade II listed building. Being a scheduled monument protects it from changes, while a Grade II listing means it is a building of special historical interest.
Contents
What is a Martello Tower?
Martello towers are small, round forts built along the coast. They were designed to defend against attacks from the sea. These towers were built a long time ago, in the early 1800s.
Why Were They Built?
At that time, there was a big worry that the French army, led by Napoleon, might try to invade England. To protect the coastline, especially in Kent and East Sussex, 75 Martello towers were constructed. They were like a chain of strongholds along the shore.
Tower 24's Special Role
Dymchurch Martello Tower is Tower number 24 out of these 75 towers. It was built in 1805. Its job was to guard important gates in the marsh, called sluices. These sluices controlled water levels in the area. Tower 24 worked with Tower 25, which is now mostly in ruins.
A Historic Building Restored
Many years after they were built, some Martello towers fell into disrepair. However, efforts were made to save and restore them.
Bringing Tower 24 Back to Life
In the 1960s and 1970s, Martello Tower 24 was carefully restored. Another nearby tower, Tower 23, was restored first and helped guide the work on Tower 24. In 1969, Tower 24 became the very first Martello tower to open its doors to the public.
A Museum for Everyone
Today, Dymchurch Martello Tower is a museum. It helps people learn all about Martello towers and their history. It is owned by English Heritage, a group that looks after historic places. Inside, you can see a large 24-pounder cannon on the gun platform. This type of cannon was loaded from the front, called a muzzle-loading cannon.
Visiting Dymchurch Martello Tower
The tower is a great place to visit and learn about the past.
Who Looks After It?
A group called the Friends of Martello24 helps take care of the tower. They work with English Heritage to make sure the tower is open for visitors. They also arrange special visits for groups.
When Can You Visit?
You can visit Dymchurch Martello Tower on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays. It is open from 2 pm to 4 pm. The visiting season runs from Easter until October each year.
