Sandgate Castle was built in 1539 by Henry VIII to defend the lower shore of Sandgate, as part of the second major coastal defence scheme to be implemented in Southern England. (The Roman Saxon shore forts were the first, the Martello Towers being the third.)
Parts of the outer expanses have been lost to the sea over the centuries, but the circular keep survived at the top of the beach. This was converted into a sort of Martello Tower, and meant that a tower did not need to be built on this lower stretch of the coast, the local towers all being high up on the cliffs slightly inland.
L. Fussell described the castle and some of its history:
"Descending a steep hill into Sandgate, the castle there built by Henry VIII (and part of it recently converted into a Martello tower, of larger size than usual, and built with stone instead of brick) is the first object which presents itself. It stands on the beach, and so near the water's edge that its walls are frequently washed by the surf. Whether this building was originally more extensive than at present, may be doubted; [sic] for there are no vestiges of its ancient walls to be traced: but unless it has been considerably reduced in size since Queen Elizabeth was lodged and entertained in it, when her Majesty made a progress hither in 1588..."1
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