A 220-year-old tower built to defend Britain from French invaders has been transformed into a luxury seaside holiday let in Dymchurch, Kent. Property developer Gary Mayatt spent five years renovating the derelict Martello Tower 25, which he bought for £220,000 and then invested £800,000 in refurbishment. The Grade II-listed building now sleeps up to 10 guests across four king-size bedrooms and five shower rooms, with an open-plan kitchen and dining area offering sea views.
From gunpost to getaway: a £1m transformation
The 30ft-tall tower was originally constructed in 1806 as a gunpost against a possible Napoleonic invasion. Before renovation, photographs show a gutted exterior with exposed brick and a partially missing roof. The project involved manufacturing floor sections off-site in Scotland before craning them into place from outside the building. The renovation also includes a secret staircase in the outer wall, a modern interior, a football table, and a roof terrace.
Short-stay bookings are priced at £750 per night, while longer stays range between £500 and £580 per night. The project faced delays including a £30,000 metal theft from the roof and a three-year wait for a mains electricity connection, which was completed this year.
Developer reflects on the challenges and rewards
Gary Mayatt said: “Standing on that terrace makes all of it worthwhile — watching the sunrise, or a storm rolling in over France, you get this moment of complete quiet you just don't find anywhere else. That view is the reward for every delay and every headache along the way.”
He added: “There's something special about giving an old building a future instead of letting it fall down. I'd genuinely do it again — probably with a few more grey hairs, but I'd do it again.”
Managed as a holiday let by The Holiday Cottage Collection
The building is now managed by The Holiday Cottage Collection. Alexandra Roberts, a director at the company, said: “Seeing the before photographs makes the finished property even more extraordinary. Gary has taken a building that was never designed to be lived in, let alone operate as a modern holiday home and created something really special without losing the features that constantly remind you you're standing inside more than 200 years of history.”
Roberts continued: “We knew from the moment we saw the finished property that it had all the ingredients of an exceptional holiday let – history, architecture, beautiful interiors, sea views and a location where guests can walk straight out and enjoy the vast sandy beaches and coast.” The tower now offers guests a unique stay combining historical significance with modern luxury amenities.
