Town Fortifications Including The Bell Tower

The Town Fortifications, including the Bell Tower, are one of the best examples of a fortified town in Europe. The medieval walls were initiated by Edward I and encircle the town, with the Castle located at the northwest corner. The course of these walls can still be traced, and remnants are visible in the base of the Bell Tower and the walling on the north side. The Elizabethan fortifications, which began around 1555, are unique in Britain and were constructed according to the latest Italian designs. In the 1760s, the medieval walls were rebuilt to incorporate gun batteries, and Coxon's Tower was also reconstructed. The gates include Scotsgate, which was altered in 1815 and 1858; Cowport, likely from the 1590s with 18th-century timber doors; Ness Gate, built in 1816; and Shore Gate, from the 1760s with original timber doors.