Neglected, abandoned, controversial in its day and uncared for now, outside Rye the half a million bricks of Tower Nr. 28 stand guard against an enemy who never came. That the enemy stayed away was because this was then the 'last word' in deterrence. For in about 1810 when it was erected, a Martello Tower was a defense so powerful that no enemy ever sailed within range of its roof mounted artillery. Such was the power of the Martello.
Today, only the town yoof and the occasional antiquarian ventures inside to disturb the resident doves and pigeons. Thoughtfully though, should you be inclined so to follow them, someone has left a makeshift ladder below the single entrance, just for the benefit of those who might come after. Inside the floors are long gone, but the massive brick central column remains, and the roof above stands solid against the weather.
I think this piece of Britain's Napoleonic defences needs a little sympathetic restoration.
