Monument record MDO6951 - Folly, formerly identified as a Martello Tower, Canford Cliffs Chine, Poole

A structure that looks like a Martello Tower is visible on old photographs of Canford Cliffs. It was most likely a mid nineteenth century folly, which marked the western extent of the Branksome Tower Estate and was used as a prospect turret and summer house.

A tower, often referred to as a Martello Tower, formerly stood on St Catherine's Point on the east side of Canford Cliffs Chine. In 1869 it was described as a 'well-placed brick martello tower, indicating the limits in this direction of the Branksome Tower Estate, to which it serves as a prospect turret and summer house.' (1)

This structure, though referred to as a Martello Tower, is most likely to be a folly, perhaps built around 1855 when Charles William Packe MP bought the estate which became known as the Branksome Tower Estate after the name of the house he had built here in 1855.

There are a number of old photographs and postcards showing the tower, some dating from the early twentieth century, held by Poole Museum. It is not shown on the Ordnance Survey 25-inch map epoch 1 map but is shown on the epoch 2 map. It does not appear on any of the later maps. (2) (3)

The tower is no longer extant and has fallen down the cliff. There is some stone debris in the area. (4)

<1> Brannon, P, 1869, The Illustrated Historical & Descriptive Guide to Bournemouth and the surrounding scenery, 85 (Monograph). SDO12481.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1864, 1886, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch one (Map). SDO10239.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1900, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch two (Map). SDO11594.

<4> DCC SMR, to 2003, Former DCC SMR Card Index (Index). SWX8285.

Record last edited

Feb 22 2012 1:06AM