Perched on the edge of the Suffolk coastline, Found Tower rises from the earth beneath, somewhat otherworldly, as though just landed from a planet far from here. Brutalist; all muted brickwork, glass and metal – a stark contrast to the Deben Peninsula’s fields and water that surround. But it is exactly this that draws the eye. Here, we step inside for an exclusive tour of the RIBA award-winning building, speaking to owner Jonathan about what it’s like calling one of the world’s 100-something remaining Martello Towers “home.”
“The original design for Martello Towers was by Captain William Ford in 1803,” Jonathan explains. “The basic idea was to create sea fortresses that were indestructible to Napoleonic forces, protecting places from potential invasion.” And, despite the unmistakable luxury of the home today, there is an instinctual excitement that comes from being in such a space, with such a history. Like most of the world’s Martello Towers, after being deemed a wasted effort, Found Tower became derelict through most of the 20th century, before being purchased in 2002 by then-owner Duncan Jackson who decided to radically renovate it. “It was the best-preserved tower of several along this stretch of coast,” Jonathan adds. “Duncan embarked on the eight-year project with an architect friend and, since falling into the category of a scheduled monument – alongside buildings such as the Tower of London and Stonehenge – they could only make minimal changes to the fabric of the building.”
Indisputably, one of the most unique things about the property is its curved walls, and how its three floors wrap around the central masonry column like a moat to a castle. “This means that all the cupboards are built-in, the whole kitchen is bespoke and the semi-circular sofa on the top floor was designed for the space by Duncan himself,” Jonathan explains. The conversion of Found Tower was described as “exemplary” by English Heritage in 2010, and the building went on to win a prestigious RIBA award that same year.
The biggest change to the property after Jonathan bought it in April 2020 (unluckily, just as the Covid lockdown begun) was the middle floor. "This space is the most unusual, as it's doughnut-shaped with the pillar passing through from the cellars, spreading out to form the ceiling that holds up the top floor," he adds. Jonathan opted to decorate the tricky room with a curved sofa, which resides opposite the wood-burner, and a grand piano. “Now you can see how big it really is, it has become a second living room, cosy in the winter."
Otherwise, most of the initial renovation has been left as-was, with Jonathan introducing small touch changes like soft furnishings in sky-blue and honey-yellow to reflect the building’s brickwork and natural setting. The double-height top floor takes centre stage; configured to be open plan to comprise a kitchen, dining room and seating area, with sliding glass doors that open onto the large roof terrace, where spectacular views of the coast await. "It has views to die for," he says. "Whenever I arrive, the sparkling sunlight and sounds of the sea and birdsong instantly relax me.” But the other rooms compete well with the standout space: “My personal favourite room though is the small study downstairs. Here, it's cosier and you’re cocooned. Daylight pours down a light tube through the 2.5-metre-thick walls," he adds.
Of course, it's intriguing to know what led Jonathan to purchase Found Tower: “I’ve stayed in several historic houses,” he says. “Interestingly, I’d looked at various windmills in the Essex/Suffolk area where there are plenty, but I didn’t find these to be very practical. A lighthouse was another option too, being high up and beside the sea – two key draws for me. So, a Martello Tower effectively killed several birds with one stone.”
For holidaying guests, Jonathan explains that there is much to do inside by means of entertainment: playing piano or ping pong, lounging beside the wood burner with a good book, or sunbathing with a summertime spritz on the outdoor terrace. “Or step outside and you’re on a mile-long effectively ‘private’ beach,” he adds. “It’s in open countryside, but there are numerous great pubs, restaurants and coastal towns within a short drive.” Now, just to find a Martello Tower of our own...
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