Camber Castle
Camber Castle was one link in the chain of forts built along the south coast by Henry VIII. Highly symmetrical, built from Wealden and Sussex sandstone. By completion in 1544 the garrison strength was 29 men and had cost £16,000. It was abandoned in 1642 due to shingle build up and is a rare example of a Henrician fort surviving in its original plan. Now 2 miles from the sea.
Incorporating an early 14th century circular tower built by Sir Edward Guldeford it was built under the orders of Henry VIII after a treaty in 1538 between France and Spain made England more vulnerable to attack. Using locally sourced timber, stone and bricks it was completed in 1544 as a symmetrical artillery fort, second in size only to Deal Castle as one of Henry VIII’s fortifications, and soon had garrison strength of 29 men. A receding shoreline thanks to relentless silting and the eastward shifting of the harbour entrance meant it became obsolete after only a few years. The garrison was disbanded in 1637.
The castle, restored and now owned by English Heritage and managed by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and East Sussex County Council, is a very interesting one to visit. There are towers and tunnels, an octagonal wall, D shaped bastions serving as gun platforms, carved stones and gun embrasures, not to mention 16th century fireplaces, bread ovens, the wardrobe (toilet), and interesting plants growing on the walls.
Read MoreIncorporating an early 14th century circular tower built by Sir Edward Guldeford it was built under the orders of Henry VIII after a treaty in 1538 between France and Spain made England more vulnerable to attack. Using locally sourced timber, stone and bricks it was completed in 1544 as a symmetrical artillery fort, second in size only to Deal Castle as one of Henry VIII’s fortifications, and soon had garrison strength of 29 men. A receding shoreline thanks to relentless silting and the eastward shifting of the harbour entrance meant it became obsolete after only a few years. The garrison was disbanded in 1637.
The castle, restored and now owned by English Heritage and managed by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and East Sussex County Council, is a very interesting one to visit. There are towers and tunnels, an octagonal wall, D shaped bastions serving as gun platforms, carved stones and gun embrasures, not to mention 16th century fireplaces, bread ovens, the wardrobe (toilet), and interesting plants growing on the walls.
