Round Tower (Portsmouth)
The Round Tower is one of the many structures built for defence in the old maritime city of Portsmouth in Hampshire.
It was built on the orders of Henry IV in 1415. There was another tower on the other side of Portsmouth Harbour at Gosport, and an enormous chain boom was hung between them to protect the naval ships in the harbour.
The tower forms part of the Hot Walls, which protected Portsmouth from attack from the sea. At the other end is the Square Tower.
The Round Tower is open to the public. Climbing up a short flight of steps gives superb views of shipping in the Solent, and across to the Isle of Wight.