View of Neptune Towers, a folly built by Lord Holland, in 1760, to resemble a miniature Henry VIII fort, such as Deal Castle
Neptune Towers stands on the cliffs at Kingsgate, next to the North Foreland Golf Club, golf course; this folly was built at around the same time as Kingsgate Castle, by Lord Holland in 1760, which is just a little further along the cliffs. It was constructed in the shape of a typical Henrican castle but on a much smaller scale, with four bastions and a tower in the central courtyard (demolished in the 1970’s), the footings of which can still be seen. The tower was used by the Royal Observer Corps as a look out post during World War II. Apparently Lord Holland built several follies around his castle, but Neptune Towers, which was called Arx Ruochim was said to have replaced a tower erected here by King Vortigern in 458 AD. The folly, built by Lord Holland in the late 18th Century, was apparently called Arx Ruochim and constructed in the style of a Henry VIII coastal fort in Walmer/Deal. Lord Holland added to the myth by claiming that the folly was built on the site of a tower built by King Vortigern in c. 458 AD. (British Library, online gallery, Ruins at Kingsgate in the Isle of Thanet) It was a miniature built in flint of Henry VIII forts, such as Camber and Deal, and had a central tower of red brick faced with chalk blocks which supported a statue of Neptune. A spurious inscription related that the monument had been built here in AD 448 by King Vortigern - the Arx Ruohim. All that remains now is the flint plinth which is about 10 ft high of quatrefoil shape with a stone band towards the top and arrow slit windows.
Size: 5486px × 3577px
Location: North Foreland Golf Course, Kingsgate Bay, Thanet, Kent,
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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