Sandown Castle History
Built by Henry VIII as part of his coastal defense, it took 18 months to build at a cost of £2887. Similar to Walmer Castle in design and made with recycled stone from a nearby monastery, it was completed in 1540.
It was to be guarded by a captain and 34 men, however, the garrison may have been varied at times as another source says 18 men.
In 1553, it was given to Lord Clinton, the Lord Warden of Cinque Ports and it passed through a number of hands.
In 1642, Sandown Castle was held by Parliamentary forces, however during the Kent Rebellion in 1648, it was taken and declared for the King. Cromwell’s army besieged the castle and it finally fell.
In 1664, under Charles II, it was used as a prison for Colonel John Hutchinson who died there.
It suffered sea damage in 1785 and was remodeled in 1805 and garrisoned to assist in the defenses against Napoleon.
Following other sea and fire damage, the castle was finally sold and demolished in 1863, with the stone being used to repair the castle at Walmer.
Sandown Castle Location
Sandown Castle is located a mile south of Deal Castle. Map references: Latitude 51.2378° Longitude 1.4028°