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Now on the market: a sea defence tower that’s been turned into a spectacular home

The property was one of 74 Martello towers built to defend Britain in 1806 during the Napoleonic War

Ella Doyle
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Ella Doyle
Guides Editor
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The property market is pretty bad at the minute, eh? We’ve got an idea – why not go off-piste, and go and live in a 216-year-old circular sea defence tower in East Sussex?

If that sounds like your cup of tea, take a look at this listing. Named The Grey Tower, the Grade II-listed Martello tower in Pevensey is sure to spark all of your digital-nomad dreams. It basically looks like the perfect Zoom background – and it’s on sale for £695,000. 

The property was one of 74 Martello towers built to defend Britain in 1806 during the Napoleonic War, but now it’s one of just 45 left standing. The others are either converted into trendy Airbnbs or in ruins. 

Sea defence tower in Sussex
Photograph: Rightmove
Sea defence tower in Sussex
Photograph: Rightmove

From the outside, it looks like, well, a sea tower, but inside it’s looking bright and airy with exposed wooden floors. And the six-foot-thick walls are circular, which is cool. From the top-floor bedroom, you’ll have serious views of the surrounding coast, and there’s another round bedroom on the first floor.

But that’s not all. The tower is also home to a paved outdoor terrace, a courtyard and a separate garage. Just down the road, you’ll find the local golf course and sailing club. 

There’s also a beach nearby, which will be pretty much your own, as no one tends to go there. The property is described on the website as being a bit of a ‘Grand Designs’ project. But it has actually been used as a home for about 50 years – it just needs a little renovation, apparently. 

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