Martello Towers About the Trail The Martello Between 1799 and 1815 Britain was at war with and The trail was funded as part of the Walls and Gardens its Emperor, Bonaparte. There was considerable project which is part-funded through the European fear of an invasion, therefore large scale construction Union’s Interreg IVA funding programme. This project projects were undertaken to provide defence to vulnerable brings together 22 partners from Belgium, France, the Tower Trail coastal areas. Netherlands, and the UK. The partners are working together to improve the preservation of fortified towns 104 Martello Towers were built in , eleven of these and sites as well as their surrounding landscapes. were built along the Tendring coastline from Point Clear to Walton, six still survive. For more information on Walls and Gardens please see www.wallsandgardens.eu The Martello Towers were entirely functional. Each Tower had its own supplies of food, water, gun powder and cannon balls, and could survive a for some considerable time.

The Towers were designed for 30 men and an officer. However, in practice, the garrisons were only three men and a sergeant. They did not live in the Towers as the marshlands were considered to be very unhealthy. Instead the troops were based in barracks at Weeley, and marched to the Towers daily for look-out duty.

The Towers were armed with three cannons: a heavy 24-pounder cannon and two 5.5 inch howitzers.

Find out more fun facts and information by following the trail...

Martello Tower K at Walton

Napoleonic soldier Discover the history of Tendring’s Napoleonic towers

Follow the trail along the coastline from Point Clear to Walton and join in the games along the way Print of tourists visiting the seaside in 1880. Tower F is in the foreground and Tower E can be seen in the background. Image copyrights: Print of tourists visiting the seaside in 1880 – Essex Record Office, Martello Tower K at Walton – Frank Gardiner ©ECC, Napoleonic soldier and The Essex coastline between Clacton and Jaywick 1810 – Ugly Studios The Martello Tower Trail Fun for all the family Visiting the Towers

Follow the trail, walk in the footsteps of the soldiers and There are six remaining Martello Towers in Tendring, decode a semaphore message to win a free Martello Tower three of which are open to the public. Badge (one per child). Tower A: East Essex Aviation Museum Semaphore and Rubbing Plate activity sheets can be Martello Tower, Point Clear, St Osyth, CO16 8NG downloaded from www.jaywickmartellotower.org or Tower A in Point Clear functions as a museum run collected from Jaywick Martello Tower. Once you have by the East Essex Aviation Museum and Society. completed the game then return to Jaywick Martello Tower OPENING TIMES: April to October, Sundays: 10am–2pm, to collect your badge. The trail begins at Tower A – Point Clear and June to September, Wednesdays 10am–2pm finishes at J – Walton on the Naze www.eastessexaviationsociety.org

Make a day of it Full route: 17 miles (27km) Tower C: Jaywick Martello Tower The Promenade, Belsize Ave, Jaywick, CO15 2LF The trails are designed to suit various levels, walk a short Tower C in Jaywick is an Essex County Council run arts, trail, bike a bit further or drive along the full coastline. heritage and community venue. App Download OPENING TIMES: March and October, Weekends, 10:30am–3:40pm, Refreshments can be sought from the various towns as you April to September, Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday pass through. A Martello Tower Trail app is now Mondays, 10am–5pm available to download for free by www.jaywickmartellotower.org | 01255 822783 Public toilets are marked on the app. following this link. Tower D You can also combine the trails with a trip to the beach, Choose from six trails of various lengths Follow the sea wall South West from Tower E or visit one of the many local attractions. and use the app to guide you along the way and learn interesting facts about the towers, towns and coastline. Tower E Hastings Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1BW Tower F: Clacton Zoo Tower E Tower D Signal station Tower C Marine Parade West, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1LS Tower F in Clacton-on-Sea is a café and Children’s Petting Zoo in the . OPENING TIMES: March to October, every day, 11am–5pm www.clactonzoo.co.uk | 01255 224230 Tower J Crescent Road / The Parade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8EQ

Subject to change therefore please check with each venue to confirm opening times and entry fee.

The Essex coastline between Clacton and Jaywick 1810