Here's one for the adventurers, history lovers, urbex enthusiasts or just fans of eerie, abandoned places.
Off the coast of England, a group of rusting giant metal structures loom in the water. They look like a cross between dystopian oil rigs and something straight out of Star Wars.
Hywel Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Abandoned English Forts You Can See By Boat
These ghostly towers are the Maunsell Towers sea forts. Now relics of World War II, they were originally built to help defend Britain against aerial and naval attacks.
Once occupied by armed soldiers, these structures have stood abandoned for decades, weathered by time and sea salt.
These days, they're, thankfully, no longer needed and are not in use.
But these half-forgotten guardians of the past make a fascinating attraction for adventurers and photographers alike.
And the best way to see them? By boat, of course. But first, here's a little more about their beginnings.
Hywel Williams / Maunsell Fort tower
What are the Maunsell Forts?
The Maunsell Forts were built during World War II to protect Britain's coastal waters from enemy air and naval attacks.
Named after their designer, British civil engineer Guy Maunsell, these offshore military structures were constructed in the early 1940s and strategically placed in the Thames Estuary.
Tanner (Lt), War Office official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
After the war, the forts were abandoned and started their slow descent into decay and rust in the chilly waters of the North Sea.
Outside of their military beginnings, these fascinating structures have made British history for other reasons.
Radio City - From Reinforcement to Rebellion
In the 1960s, the Maunsell Towers sea forts became home to the offshore pirate radio Radio City.
Founded by Reginald Calvert in 1964, the station operated from Shivering Sands Fort.
At the time, UK law didn't extend beyond territorial waters. This allowed Radio City to exploit this legal loophole and sidestep legislation, such as the Wireless Telegraphy Act and the Marine Offences Act.
Radio City did this to broadcast pop music outside of the UK government’s control. 1960s rebellion at its finest.
The station quickly gained a cult following. But, predictably, it became embroiled in legal battles and rival disputes.
Sadly, Calvert was murdered in 1966 by the former owner of a rival offshore station, Radio Atlanta.
By 1967, the Marine Offences Act shut down pirate stations, including Radio City. The forts then fell into disrepair once again, leaving behind a rebellious legacy in British broadcasting history.
The Forts and the Microntion of Sealand
Incredibly, the forts are also home to the world's smallest self-declared micronation, Sealand.
One of the Maunsell Sea Forts, HM Fort Roughs, was originally used for anti-aircraft defence in WWII.
But in 1967, Major Paddy Roy Bates, founder of pirate radio station Radio Essex, moved in to broadcast his station from the fort.
He then established the Principality of Sealand, an independent nation, on the fort.
This challenged the UK's territorial jurisdiction, exploiting the fact that Roughs Tower is just outside of UK territorial waters.
Although no country officially recognises Sealand, it has issued passports, minted coins and has even hosted data havens for offshore web services.
Richard Lazenby, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
At just 0.004 km², roughly the size of a tennis court, Sealand is smaller than the Vatican, Monaco and even some billionaire's back gardens.
It also has a flag, a motto, E Mare Libertas, or "From the Sea, Freedom" and a royal family.
The Bates family continues to maintain Sealand to this day and sells e-citizenship to fund its upkeep.
While largely symbolic, Sealand remains a fascinating relic of both WWII history and the pirate radio era.
Where to Find the Maunsell Towers Sea Forts
There are three main clusters of the Manunsell Towers sea forts, all standing in the Thames Estuary.
- Red Sands Sea Forts - The most famous and best-preserved group, these Red Sand towers are the go-to for boat tours.
- Shivering Sands Forts - A more skeletal and rundown set of towers, offering the most dramatic, post-apocalyptic views.
- Knock John Fort - A standalone fort, a little harder to reach but still a striking sight.
Hywel Williams / Knock John Naval Maunsell Fort
Can You Visit the Maunsell Forts?
Nowadays, the Maunsell Towers sea forts are structurally sketchy, so setting foot on them is a definite no-go.
However, they are understandably a source of fascination for many people, including travellers.
And the good news, is, you can get reasonably close to them by boat. Here's how.
Boat Tours to the Maunsell Towers Sea Forts
Several boat operators offer tours to the Whitstable sea forts and other locations in the Thames Estuary. Here are some options.
- A Complete Forts Tour - The operator X-Pilot offers a comprehensive, seven-hour tour of many of the forts from Queenborough Harbour. It also takes in the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery, a WWII ship with a cargo of unexploded munitions.
- The Army Fort Experience - JetStream Tours operates a five-hour cruise from Southend Pier. Taking in the Red Sands Towers and Shivering Sand Towers, it also passes over the original site of the Nore Sand Towers. You might also get to peregrine falcons mid-flight.
- Red Sands Sea Fort Boat Trip - Whitstable Boat Trips runs shorter, focused tours of the Red Sands sea forts, the home of Pirate Radio. They leave from Whitstable Harbour.
Can You Visit the Maunsell Sea Forts by Kayak?
The distance from Whitstable, the nearest point of land from the forts, is roughly 12km, a 24km round trip.
So, in theory, it's possible to go by kayak. But, it's probably not advisable.
The sea conditions can be challenging and strong currents make it a serious mission, rather than a casual paddle.
Plus, the structures are in poor condition and likely pose a risk, even from a reasonable distance.
In fact, there have been several occasions where curious adventurers have been rescued from the area after failed missions to explore the structures.
Booking a safe, tried-and-tested official boat tour seems like the best option all-round.
Abandoned Sea Forts Around the World
If the Maunsell Forts spark your fascination with abandoned sea defences, here are a few more to add to your bucket list.
Flak Towers, Germany
Huge anti-aircraft towers from WWII, now eerie urban ruins. Dotted around Germany and Austria, there are a total of eight Flak towers - three in Berlin, two in Hamburg and three in Vienna.
A similar concept to the Maunsell Forts but constructed by the Luftwaffe to defend Germany from air raids, the Flak towers have been repurposed as hotels, museums and even night clubs.
Fort Boyard, France
Taking things even further back in time, Fort Boyard, off the West coast of France was built in 1801 and completed in 1857.
Originally built to defend France, it's now better known for being the location of the TV game show, the aptly named Fort Boyard.
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