No.2 Martello Tower

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Tower |3 bedrooms |Sleeps 6

East Cliff, Folkestone in Folkestone

From £900 per week |  From £125 per night

2 nights minimum stay

Changeover Friday

4 out of 5

1 review | Write a review

Key info  Beach or lakeside relaxation, balcony/terrace, car not necessary, private garden, may take pets - please enquire

About the home

The Martello Tower was part of a chain of 74 built along the South Coast around 1806 to prevent invasion by Napoleon and the French. Each circular Martello was designed with a high entrance door, cannon on the top capable of firing in any direction and accommodation for a 24 strong garrison.

The Tower is built from 1/4 million bricks with walls which range from a massive 13 foot thick on the seaward side to 6 foot on the landward side. The 2 narrow original windows are still present on the middle floor. Extra windows were added in the 1960's when the Tower was converted to residential use.

The Tower has modern spacious accommodation spread over three floors but retains many original features, including vaulted brick ceilings, ammunition store and even the original door to the top with a hatch to pass cannon balls through.

Only 25 Towers now remain standing on the South Coast and only 10 are residential. No.2 has all the best features of any of the Martello conversions and is the only south coast Tower available for short term holiday let.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
The Tower is accessed via an external staircase up to the original middle floor entrance. The doorway leads into the open plan living space comprising modern kitchen, lounge and dining area. This circular room features a central brick pillar which supports the vaulted ceiling and benefits from a wood burning stove, comfy sofas and large circular oak dining table. Patio doors lead to the balcony with views over Folkestone Harbour and the garden.

Downstairs there is a double bedroom in the original vaulted ammunition store and a wedge shaped twin room (with ample space for additional cot). The family bathroom boasts a large Victorian roll top bath and separate shower.

The top floor is reached via a stone staircase set in the Tower wall. The gun level top room has a partitioned off double bedroom and en suite shower room. The remaining majority of the circle is an additional living room which has windows on the top of the parapet and a conical roof.

From on high panoramic views can be enjoyed including the White Cliffs of Dover, the shoreline and beaches and the town. On a clear day you will even glimpse the White Cliffs of France and Calais 22 miles away. More to the west you will see Dungeness, Fairlight and the North Downs disappearing into the distance. All quite spectacular!

Further details outdoors:
Ample car parking is available on private driveway.

The property is surrounded by a large secluded garden which has lawned areas, mature trees and fish pond.
The garden has decked areas, a barbecue for guest use, garden furniture and children's playhouse and large trampoline.

Further details

**** Strictly no smoking ****
No stag parties / hen parties

Photos

 

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Martello Tower No.2

 

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View of Warren and White Cliffs

 

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Middle floor arches, curves and circles

 

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Top floor space and windows for best views

The South East England / Kent region

Kent, the Garden of England, is, as you would expect, a rural county with lots of open countryside. The cathedral city of Canterbury is well known as a site of historic interest as well as a good shopping centre!

Kent is the Gateway to Europe with Calais only a short ferry or Eurotunnel train trip away.

The Folkestone / East Cliff, Folkestone area

The town of Folkestone was once a bustling Victorian holiday destination and evidence of the Victorian spendour is still in evidence with the Leas promenade being an ideal location for an evening walk with a view. Below the Leas is the Lower Coastal park which has recently been regenerated and now forms a scenic landscaped area with open air theatre and large children's adventure playground. During last Summer 'Dave' the dolphin became a daily visitor just off the beach and has become a local celebrity!

Folkestone is still a lively fishing port and the local catch can be enjoyed fresh from the fishing boats and from the seafood stalls surrounding the harbour.

In nearby Hythe is the terminus of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway which is well worth a visit for adults and children alike. The Royal Military Canal stretches out from Hythe, the canal being a wide defensive ditch built at a similar time to the Martello Towers.

For animal lovers the two zoo parks of Port Lympne (featured in the CBBC TV series 'Roar') and Howletts are close at hand. White Cliff Country around Dover is within easy reach and Canterbury is only 20 minutes away by car.

It goes without saying that there are beaches galore to enjoy within an easy walk of the Tower, the very closest being the 'Sunny Sands' and the Warren.

How to get there

What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

Map showing the East Cliff, Folkestone areaReset Map

Travel to Folkestone on the M20 and leave at junction 13. Turn right (3rd exit at the junction roundabout) and take the 1st exit at the next roundabout. Following the main road at the foot of the hills take the 1st then 2nd then 3rd exits from next roundabouts.

Then following signs for Harbour, Warren and Martello Tower Visitors Centre after about 0.3 km turn off the main road (actually going straight on) into Wear Bay Road. Follow the road until sea is on your left and about half way down the hill turn right into the Martello Tower drive (between houses 63 and 64). The postcode is CT19 6PX for Sat Navs.

If travelling from the continent the Martello Tower is about 10 minutes from the Channel Tunnel terminal and the Ashford International (Eurostar) station is about 20 minutes drive away.

Activities near Folkestone

Reviews

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

20 Nov 2011

“Beautiful place to stay, charm, history, atmosphere and views...loved it !” Fantastic weekend spent here, just got home and had to write quick review. We arrived at the tower and with open mouths the word WOW finally came out as we entered. It was dark on arrival, so more suprises lay ahead when we woke the following morning. Don't want to say too much as could spoil some suprises for when you hopefully get the chance to stay here. Basically, the views spectacular, lots of history both for the tower and surrounding areas, facilities are home from home but with very personal touches, atmosphere calming and romantic (candles can be lit throughout). Spent weekend with sister and neices and really didn't want to leave. For an extra special weekend/holiday you must book !

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

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Guestbook for No.2 Martello Tower

A wonderful place full of character. The views are amazing. Could sit and watch the world go by all day A wonderful stay and we are sad to leave.

A wonderful place to stay. Magnificent views from a unique property steeped in history. We really enjoyed the tranquil setting and beautiful coastal walks, we will definitely be back.

What an awesome place. We went for a family weekend with 2 daughters and their partners. As it was Mothers Day weekend we had the fabulous room at the top - room with a view it most certainly was. Evenings were spent playing board games and the main room just felt so cosy and homely - especially with the huge amount of candles everywhere and a log fire. All the equipment in the Tower is of high quality and the way things are laid out are just perfect. Every utensil, pan, plate etc. you could possibly want to cook and eat was available. We couldn't have asked for more from a weekend accommodation and just wished we'd been there for the week. It is characterful, comfortable, homely, quirky, and made for quite an exciting 'adventure'. Oh, and beyond the tower, great walks along the cliff or the beach. Highly recommended. (April 2011)

Rental prices

Prices for group size 6
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Early Spring 2012	4 Jan 12	16 Mar 12	900£ 900	125125	175175	2 Nights
Spring 2012	16 Mar 12	1 Jun 12	1000£ 1000	150150	190190	3 Nights
Early Summer 2012	1 Jun 12	20 Jul 12	1200£ 1200	175175	225225	3 Nights
Summer 2012	20 Jul 12	3 Sep 12	1500£ 1500	225225	275275	3 Nights

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Weekends - 3 nights Friday to Monday

Midweek - 4 nights Monday to Friday

PAYPAL available

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact the owner

* Required fields First name * Last name * Email * Phone number Arrival date Departure date No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas I have read and agreed to the T&Cs

You are contacting Richard And Janine Owen Landline n/a Mobile +44 07976 946380 Languages spoken The owner is based in UK and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2011. This tower has received 1 review from previous guests.