Paint them white and these amazing structures remind me strongly of something you would see in Star Wars…

The Maunsell Army Sea Forts are possibly the only valid reason I can think of to visit Shoeburyness East where they can be seen from boat, or beach on a clear day. I love them – I guess in much the same way I find Dungeness (and it’s mini steam train) appealing. They are also one of my favorite pieces of architecture.

Constructed in 1942 these astonishing structures were anti-aircraft tower-forts constructed in 1942 to form part of the Thames Estuary defense network. Each fort consists of a cluster of seven stilted buildings surrounding a central command tower.

It is now dangerous and illegal to try and visit the forts due to their bad state of decay – personally considering the money wasted in the UK surely some pennies must be found to help preserve these astonishing structures.

Read more about the forts at Atlas Obscura.