In 1803 Napoleon had subdued Italy and Austria and was preparing to invade Britain. He had assembled 167,000 men at Boulogne waiting for sufficient ships and barges to ferry them across the Channel.

In response to this threat the British Government began a massive building program to defend the south coast. 74 Martello Towers were built as well as three circular fortresses, known as Redoubts, at Eastbourne, Dymchurch and Harwich.

The Redoubt at Harwich was built between 1807 and 1809 to support Landguard Fort on the opposite shore near Felixstowe and to form part of the chain of Martello Tower defences. Two hundred feet in diameter, it is surrounded by a deep ditch and can only be entered by one removable drawbridge.

Originally armed with 10 cannon, these were upgraded in the 1860′s and 1870′s and by 1872 three 9 inch RML guns were in place. One still remains although it is thought the other two are buried in the moat. In the 1920′s it was abandoned and the surrounding housing built over. It was taken over by the Harwich Society in 1969, and it has now been fully restored

What to see and do

• Military Museum.
• Eleven guns on the battlements.
• Eighteen casements.
• battle re-enactments.
• Summer events

Location
29 Main Rd, Harwich CO12 3LT
Telephone: 01255 502872

Admission
£3 adults. Children in family groups free. Harwich Society Members free. No concessions.

Opening times
Visit the Harwich Society website for latest opening times.