Coastal Fortress: Martello Tower Open Days
The Landmark Trust is pleased to be able to open Martello Tower to the public on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September for Heritage Open Days. Entry is free, leaflets on the building's history will be available.
Pre-booking is preferred so that we can provide you with updates regarding the event.
About Martello Tower
Martello Tower sits on the beach between the River Alde and the sea. It was built between 1808 and 1812 and is the most northerly of a chain of defensive towers built along the South and East coasts of England at that time, in response to the very real threat of invasion by the French, led by the Emperor Napoleon. When they were built, the towers were called heavy gun batteries. They soon came to be known by the name Martello, however, from the tower that provided the idea for their design, that stood on Mortella Point in Corsica.
The tower did not originally stand on its own as it does today. It was once part of the village of Slaughden, of which the last houses survived into this century, but finally vanished due to erosion before the last War. The sea has also swept away part of the moat surrounding the tower itself. By 1931 the tower, by then abandoned and derelict.
Martello Tower was one of five Landmark sites chosen by artist Antony Gormley in 2015 for a temporary installation, 'LAND', a collaboration with Landmark in celebration of its 50th anniversary (since removed).
Open Day entry
We expect this event to be a popular one. With a stictly limited maximum capacity inside the building, it is likely that visitors will need to queue for entry.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings we have a limited capacity for our Open Day events. You may therefore be asked to wait a short time while other visitors finish their visit. Whilst booking is not essential, priority will be given to those who have booked in advance. Thank you for your co-operation.
Visitor Information
Martello Tower will be open between 10am-4pm for entry at any time. We ask that visitors pre-book via Eventbrite and check the website for updates nearer the time. There will likely be a queue at busier times once we reach capacity. No more than four people can be on the bridge at any time, please follow staff directions. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside the building at this event.
Due to its coastal location on the edge of a peninsula, the weather in this region of Suffolk can be very changeable. We advise visitors to dress for all weathers and wear sturdy shoes.
The seaside town of Aldeburgh is around a mile from the fort, or a 15-minute walk, along a shingle beach, with a wide choice of cafes and facilities for day trippers.
Parking
There is no parking available at this Landmark, except for two unreserved disabled places. Visitors are advised to park in the town's public car parks and walk along the beach path to the fort.
Car Park Fort Green, Slaughden Rd, Aldeburgh IP15 5DE (13-minute walk to Martello Tower)
King Street - Aldeburgh - APCOA, King St, Aldeburgh IP15 5BY (19-minute walk to Martello Tower)
Aldeburgh High Street parking is subject to time restrictions as signs displayed. There is also some parking along the sea edge path towards the fort, please check restrictions on the day.
Cars must not drive beyond the fort to prevent becoming beached in the shingle.
Donating to Landmark as part of your visit
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to visit a Landmark for free as part of our Open Day programme, and as such we’re pleased to continue to offer free entry at all our Open Days in 2026.
The Landmark Trust is a building conservation charity that relies on donations to support its work. Over the past 60 years, public support has helped us rescue over 200 historic buildings and make them available for all to experience and enjoy. Your support by attending our events, booking a workshop, and making a donation allows us to continue to save buildings at risk and continue to maintain those already in our care. Your donation could help train the craftspeople needed to restore a future Landmark, offer opportunities for young people to experience history first-hand, or provide a charity with free Landmark stay for their service users through our Getaways for Good scheme.
Donations can be made when you book your Eventbrite ticket, at the event via contactless donation points, or after your visit via our website under Support.
Protecting wildlife around Martello Tower
The area immediately surrounding the fort is home to an abundance of wildlife, inlcuding rare and protected species of sea birds and seals.
Visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from seals (at least 100m) and avoid approaching them, especially with children or dogs (which must be kept on leads). Seals are easily disturbed; loud noise or getting too close can cause them to panic, leading to injury or abandonment of pups - please stay quiet, and observe from afar using binoculars if needed.
If you’re concerned about a seal, contact the BDMLR rescue line for advice. Please also follow year-round wildlife guidance: respect signage, keep dogs on paths, give birds space, clean up after pets, and avoid damaging beach vegetation.
Accessibility
Martello Tower is a historic building that is entered across a narrow wooden bridge. Inside there are spiral stairs up to the roof level. Getting to Martello is across a rough beach track, 1 mile from the town of Aldeborough. It may not be suitable for people with limited mobilty.
There are two unreserved disabled parking places next to the fort. All other cars are asked to park in the public car parks in the town. The coastal town of Aldeburgh is a 10-minute walk away along stony beach track.
We do all we can to enable access wherever possible; for further information or if you have any access concerns that you’d like to discuss before visiting, please contact our Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or [email protected]. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm.