Grain Tower

Grain Tower is an artillery tower built in the late 1840s to early 1850s, with a date of 1855 marked on the door to the west. During the Second World War, the upper part was partially cut away on the north-east quarter to convert it into an anti-aircraft tower, and various concrete additions were made both internally and externally. The tower is constructed of coursed stone and has two storeys, which are divided by a projecting band featuring various openings on the lower stage. Internally, the lower stage is divided between accommodation and magazines, with some ammunition hoists still remaining in place. The design follows the construction practices of Martello towers but is also anticipatory of the offshore forts at Solent and Spithead, situated approximately 500 yards offshore at the edge of the Medway deep channel.