Martello Tower
Reviews:
(Provided by Andrew, Jane and Kate
Curry) - Brilliant place! Amazing acoustics - particularly if you kneel on the
huge dining table and bark at the table light! Despite warnings about damp -
mind the flower pots which catch the drips - it is very warm and cosy. The weather
can be wild - it can get quite noisy when it is windy! Kate nearly got blown
off the drawbridge - be warned. Don't forget to raise the flag. There are two
twin bedrooms not soundproofed! Aldeburgh is very attractive with an excellent
gallery to buy expensive works of Art and pots.
(Provided by Hugo and Cindy,
Cambridge) .....Aldeburgh is lovely, been there many times. We've been to the tower twice
so far, in summer and winter - Bonfire night! Views of distant fireworks
around the inland horizon from the roof. The design of the building is
fascinating and so well thought out in every way - as a fortress I mean.
The water drips from the roof are part of the charm; it's the only place I
know of to stay with active stalactites! We hear the drips have worsened
recently which is a pity, don't know what it's like right now (April 2001).
The heating was plenty good enough, and with the radiant fire on, toasty
warm. The building has a lot of thermal mass and is not at all draughty.
BBQ'd tuna and swordfish steaks from the deli, on the roof. Marvellous.
Aldeburgh also contains a great fish and chip shop and a curry house, fine
pubs with fine ale and the excellent off-licence. Great walks along the
beach all weathers. By car, Orford Castle and Snape Maltings nearby.
10/10 - brilliant building, brilliant location.
!-- Hugo & Cindy's June 2002 update!:
It was lovely, as always!
The biggest change, though we understand it’s not intended to be
permanent, is THE SAIL. This is a canvas tent suspended from the dome,
extending a little way into the four wings, to catch water drips (and dust or
deliquescence) from the ceiling. It drains into the corners of the
partitions, and thence just into the cellar - the plastic pipes are
visible. It was strange staying there without the drips! The theory
is that the roof is now fixed (but we’ve heard that before) and the sail
will stay as long as it takes for the building to dry out. We saw only a
very few places where the sail was collecting drips, and didn’t hear any
drips at all (except for one right in the top of the dome which misses the
sail - probably condensation not the usual) so it seems like the roof might
indeed be fixed - let’s hope so! We wouldn’t mind the sail becoming permanent
though, it’s quite a nice thing in itself.
The next significant change is the colour: all the (non-floor)
woodwork is now painted a gorgeous deep yellow/brown gloss,
like you see in preserved military establishments of that era.
The curtains are gone; the windows now have shutters, which mostly cut out
the light; they were certainly good enough to let us lie in, in June!
The powder magazine is reinstated! It’s gained a wooden floor, and
The wooden stairs down to it are open (the stairwell used to be blocked
And mused as the cleaning cupboard). The lamp-closet contains a lamp, and
Is glassed off from the magazine, nicely authentic. It’s the perfect
place to store beer and wine. The rest of the cellar is unchanged.
There’s a new partition separating the “living room” from
the central area with the huge table; it used to be completely open.
The living room has gained a coalite-burning stove in the fireplace - a miniature
“Much Wenlock” if you’ve met them in other Landmarks.
The bathroom area has changed too, to create a couple of cupboards,
and install a brand new power shower which is big enough for two!
Last change: radiators! Apparently in September the tower will be
Closed again for oil fired central heating to be installed.
Provided by RJ:
If you are a Britten fan this is THE way to see Aldeburgh. You can
hear the
Peter Grimes interludes throughout your stay. Watch the fishing boats
come
and go. And imagine that in a storm the whole massive brick
structure might
get swept away.
Pictures: