Martello Tower F in Clacton is offered for lease by council

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Lewis AdamsBBC News, Essex

Richard Smith/BBC The circular brick fort is pictured behind black hoarding. It has a small wooden watchtower on top and a large tree to the right. On the black hoarding, which is preventing access, is a green "to let" sign and another black sign advertising it as a wedding venue.Richard Smith/BBC

Martello Tower F overlooks the beach west of Clacton Pier in Essex

People interested in taking on a coastal fort complete with a moat and drawbridge have been invited to make a bid for it.

Martello Tower F in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was built between 1809 and 1812 to defend England in the event of a French invasion.

More recently it has been used as a petting zoo, tearoom and coastguard lookout.

Tendring District Council said it was open to offers from people who wanted to lease the historic building.

“It is a fantastically unusual property to have on the market,” said Will Lodge, from the local authority.

Richard Smith/BBC The 10m (33ft) tall tower is made of brick and surrounded by a dry moat. There are also bushes and trees around the moat. The structure has two small windows and a watchtower on top.Richard Smith/BBC

The fort was once home to a petting zoo

A chain of 103 small artillery forts were built after the renewal of war with France in 1803, including 11 along the north-east Essex coast.

Martello Tower F is one of three in Clacton, built west of the town’s pier at the junction of Marine Parade West and Tower Road.

“We really want to protect them for future generations and preserve this piece of history in the area,” Mr Lodge added.

The 10m (33ft) tall tower has walls up to 4m (13ft) thick, which are sloped inwards to resist cannon fire.

Although it was armed and provisioned, it was never manned by soldiers.

The fort fell into the hands of the council between World War One and World War Two.

Owen Ward/BBC A cast-iron drawbridge leads towards the circular brick tower, which has ivy growing on part of its facade. A wooden door is at the end of the bridge.Owen Ward/BBC

Previous owner Paul Nash said running the fort was “a lot of work”

Paul Nash, who once leased it for 16 years, said it had been a “fantastic” experience.

“It’s the only tower in Essex and one of the very few in the world that has a fully-enclosed moat, so that’s why it was ideal for the zoo,” Mr Nash said.

“There’s a lot of work. It’s non-stop running that place, maintaining it and keeping it ready for people.”

Conservative-run Tendring District Council said anyone interested in leasing the building should email its property services team.

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