Jaywick Martello Tower and Village, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Details

Accessibility

Brief description

"Built originally as a Napoleonic Fort in the early 19th century the tower now acts as a central hub for the local community and visitors. There are regular arts and heritage exhibitions, talks and events. Inspirational views and setting close to the beach.

Jaywick Martello Tower is one of twenty-nine defences built on the east coast of England to defend the country from attacks from Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies.

Visitors can explore the history of the tower through an exhibition hosted on the ground floor, as well as getting up close to a replica cannon, and enjoying wonderful views across the sea from the roof.

The first floor is an arts and heritage space which frequently hosts exhibitions often inspired by the local, coastal environment and history.

The Tower is open to the public many days of the year for visitors (particularly during the summer months) and has a year-round programme of talks, workshops and events.

In 2026 see https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/jaywick-martello-tower

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywick_Martello_Tower

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywick# 2026 Jaywick Martello Tower and Village:

Jaywick Sands

showing sea defences

"Jaywick is a coastal village in the Tendring district of Essex, England, 2 miles (3 km) west of Clacton-on-Sea. It lies on the North Sea coast of England, 60 miles (97 km) from London and 17 miles (27 km) from Colchester. It was constructed in the 1930s as a holiday resort for Londoners but has, over time, been officially named the most deprived area in the country.[2]

The land on which the village is built was originally fields and salt marsh unsuitable for agriculture. It was purchased by the entrepreneur Frank Stedman in 1928 to build low cost, affordable holiday homes for working-class families, and became a popular holiday destination throughout the 1930s. After the Second World War, a shortage of housing meant the properties became permanently inhabited despite not being built for this purpose. Many holiday homes are now in a state of disrepair, and the local community have resisted demolition. Jaywick has significant problems with unemployment and is at risk of flooding, despite several attempts by the local council to transform the area.

The Martello Tower, now an arts centre

Jaywick is around 60 miles (100 kilometres) from London and 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Colchester.[3][4] It is in the Golf Green ward of the Tendring district of north-east Essex.[5][6] To the north-east is Clacton-on-Sea (from which it is separated by Clacton Airport), while to the west is the estuary of the River Colne. Jaywick is divided into the Tudor estate to the north (also known as West Clacton), the Village to the southeast and the Brooklands and Grasslands estates to the southwest.[5][7]

Most shops are on the village's main street, Broadway. A 200-year-old Martello tower on the coastline was converted into an arts and heritage centre.[8] The artwork, "46 Brooklands Gardens", by Nathan Coley was erected at the Martello tower as a three-month show piece.[9]

During the North Sea flood of 1953, Jaywick was flooded, resulting in the deaths of 35 people.[40] Since then, sea defences have been put in place and many precautions have been made to avoid flooding. Coastal Jaywick has benefited from 30,000 cubic metres (40,000 cu. yd.) of dredged sand as part of a £9.4m upgrade.[41] The residential areas are categorised as having the highest risk of flooding in the country, and a council report anticipated that global warming would increase the risk to human life in Jaywick from flooding over the next 50 to 75 years.[21] The area would be the first to be hit by floods in the event of a tidal surge over the marshes surrounding St Osyth.[42]

The main road into the village is close to sea level and there is the potential risk that a flood could cut off access for emergency services.[43] Many roads, particularly around Brooklands, are unadopted without any public funding, hindering emergency access and giving the area a "run down" look. Because properties are sited on marshland, road improvements tend to have a short lifespan and are quickly damaged in bad weather.[44] In December 2013, due to a severe flood risk, all residents in Jaywick were asked by Essex Police to temporarily leave the area, to be rehoused temporarily in school buildings around Clacton.[45] A similar exercise happened in January 2017 following a threat of coastal flooding,[46][47] involving the potential evacuation of 2,500 homes in Jaywick and nearby Lee-over-Sands.[48]"

Address

Jaywick Martello Tower

The Promenade

Belsize Avenue

Jaywick

Clacton-on-Sea CO15 2LF

Email

Phone

01255 822783

Website

https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/jaywick-martello-tower

https://www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/jaywick-martello-tower-p1268591

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywick_Martello_Tower

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Jaywick Martello Tower: in 2026 see https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/jaywick-martello-tower

Transport

Amenities

Jaywick Martello Tower see :https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/jaywick-martello-tower

Parking

"Gallery and space hire

Permanent Exhibition

Toilets and washrooms"