Museum Displays
Museum and History
Museum
The Museum in the Naze Tower explores through a visual display the fascinating history of the Tower and the Naze. It also acts as an information centre with displays about the ecology and geology of the Naze, the coastal erosion problem and the proposed coast scheme Crag Walk.
The fossils and other artifacts found at and about the Naze and the Tower on display have been kindly loaned or donated by members of the local community for the enjoyment and interest of others.
- If you have any interesting information, images or artifacts on the Tower, the Naze or Hamford Waters we are always eager to add to the Museum and the archive of information, please Contact us.
History
Trinity House built the 86ft octagonal Naze Tower in 1720 as a navigational mark to aid shipping. Early on we believe the tower had a beacon on the top with fires lit. It is the predecessor of the reflective lighthouse that became commonplace in the 19th century.
The Naze Tower is a Grade II* listed building of special architectural and historic interest and is the only one of its kind in existence. This listing places it in the top 5.5% of heritage buildings and the top twenty listed lighthouses in the country.
Courtesy of Putmans Photographers
The Tower over the years has served numerous uses, particularly during times of war. Here are a few:
In the Second World War Royal Airforce operators were stationed at the Tower and a Chain Home Low Radar Dish installed on the roof to detect enemy aircraft and ships.
Over 100 years ago, the Royal Navy used signalling flags and a semaphore post at the tower to practice manoeuvres and communicate with ships and other signal posts along the coast.
Courtesy of Putmans Photographers
The Royal Navy using the Naze Tower
Considering the Tower now houses a Tea Rooms perhaps it’s most intriguing use was in the eighteenth century. At this time tea was an expensive commodity and the wealthy friends of the Rt. Hon Richard Rigby MP who was custodian of the Tower and owned and resided at Walton Hall on the Naze had exclusive tea parties at the Tower.
Bringing you up to the present day the Naze Tower was a derelict building until it was extensively renovated and opened to the public for the first time ever in its history in 2004 as a visitor attraction. Since then it has proved very popular with locals, tourists and groups. The local family who own the tower undertook the restoration and still run the Tower today.
- A booklet on the Naze Tower: Past, Present and Future is available from the tower priced £1, to send one by post Contact us.