Batemans Tower - Colchester

Pavan Kumar KP

It's a silent beach ⛱️⛱️. If you want to relax a day with the beach and a drink . Then this is the best place. However when we went the tides ? were not so great so it was not a great visit. However localities were saying usually tidies will be high. There is a small cafe close to the beach and it's quite good. If you are driving then there is a big free parking lot so you can park safely.

Martyn Bradfield

Lovely views over Brightlingsea and the River Colne Estuary

pomana smaranda nicoleta

Nice place

Bateman’s Tower is one of the town’s best known landmarks. It’s located at the end of Promenade Way, close to the paddling pool.

Often mistaken for a lighthouse, it’s actually a folly built in 1883 by John Bateman for his daughter to recuperate from consumption. Bateman was Brightlingsea’s first Deputy after the revival of the Cinque Port Liberty in the town and presented the magnificent chain of office that is still in use today. You can read more about him here.

Thanks to its commanding views of the creek, the River Colne and the estuary, the tower was used as an observation post by the Royal Observer Corps during WWII. During this time the roof was removed to make the tower less conspicuous to enemy aircraft.

Roy

Bateman's Tower is the local landmark unique to Brightlingsea & clearly visible from across the water in Point Clear & East Mersea. The design of the roof has altered over the decades, originally built with a beacon at the top. During WW2 it was used as an observation platform by the Royal Observer Corps for spotting incoming enemy bombers. After the war the roof was added & glazing to the room at the top of the stairs. Bateman's Tower has been incorrectly described as a folly, but a true folly has no actual purpose, but obviously not the case for this building. Nowadays it's a Grade2 listed building & used as a cafe/tearoom.

terry doherty

Very pleasant day, lovely bacon roll and a coffee at the cafe.
About six or seven fishermen with rod and line by the tower.
Barely any room in the free car park.
Place was mobbed out which is pretty good going for the end of November !

John tanner

Nice view's, Tower & small tea room,
Steep step access to beach.
Pay & display car park.

Phil Hearing

The tower isn’t open for public visits. BUT it is iconic in this area and Brightlingsea. It's a beautiful place to come when the sun sets. During sailing races ask to go up and the view is beautiful.

David

It's a tower owned by one of the sailing clubs. Not the greatest attraction in Essex, so don't know why it has a Google listing of its own. I guess it's a landmark on the coast and makes a prominent feature for people in the nice row of beach huts.
This whole area of Brightlingsea is stunning all year round, with nice walks and great views. Good car park here as well, we use it for visiting then walk back towards the marina etc.