Sandgate Castle

Work on Sandgate castle commenced under King Henry V111 in 1539 to defend the area west of Folkestone. It comprised a central keep and curtain walls with firing 142 firing positions for cannons and hand guns. Poor construction lead to the castle falling into ruin until after 1638 when it was seized by the Parliamentarian forces in the English Civil War. At the outbreak of the Coalition Wars the castle was heavily rebuilt and was incorporated into the string of Martello towers and held ten 24 pounder guns. In 1859 it was again extensively redesigned and equipped with 32 and 68 pounder cannon.
Continuing coastal erosion causing extensive flooding and its diminished use led to the castle being decommissioned in 1888.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Anthony (Sharky) Ward (7)