A 19th-century, Grade II-listed turret, that has been transformed into a quirky home, is up for sale.
Originally built as a small defensive fort, Martello towers were built across the British Empire with the majority being coastal forts.
This particular structure – known as Martello Tower W – was built in 1809.
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It was used in World War II to power nearby coastal artillery searchlights.
In the 1980s, the building, which is located in Bawdsey, Suffolk, was converted for residential use.
The fort is equipped with three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen/ living room area and a viewing platform.
Due to its initial function, the former gun deck offers the new owner amazing panoramic views of the North Sea.
Buyers willing to fork out the £450,000 for the property will have permission to equip the fort with an expansive perimeter glazed zinc roofed room on the gun deck.
The tower is part of a club of four Martello’s and is the most southern of the quadruple, as reported by Luxury Property News.
The quirky home is now on the market through estate agents Clarke and Simpson.
The estate agents described the property as: “Martello Tower W stands in a superb position with unparalleled panoramic views over the sea and coast of Suffolk.
“It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Tower is designated a Grade II Listed Scheduled Monument.
“It is understood that the Martello Towers take their name and structural design from Corsican buildings at Mortella.
“Martello Tower W was built in 1809 and is one of only 17 on the east coast.
“Historic England remarked that the quatrefoil gun deck, complete with three vertical 18th-century naval cannons, is the best preserved and most original of any Martello Tower they have seen.
“The Tower was converted to residential use in the mid-1980s and has currently been taken back to its core ready for new refurbishment works.”
