Historic landmark opens for first time in a decade

Reculver Towers was set up by the Romans as a shore fort in the late 2nd Century

A historic landmark in Kent has opened its doors to the public for the first time in a decade.

Part of Reculver Towers, which was set up by the Romans as a shore fort in the late 2nd Century, has opened to the public as part of Heritage Open Days.

Recently shrouded in scaffolding for urgent preservation work, the popular English Heritage site is being staffed by volunteers giving guided tours over six days until Sunday.

A Heritage Open Days spokesperson described it as "an important site of national significance".

Volunteer Nathan Burnley is leading tours of the Kent landmark

While many of the buildings at Reculver fell into ruin in the 19th Century, the towers were kept as a navigational aid.

Work started to preserve the site from further erosion in 2020.

The final phase included work to strengthen the two towers and the rest of the church, including new stonework and a new lead roof to protect it from the extreme weather.

Nathan Burney, an English Heritage volunteer, is leading the guided tours of the North Tower.

He told said: "It's two thousand years worth of history all in one go.

"You can see the towers from just about anywhere along the north Kent coast."

Joanne Forbes, volunteer manager, said: “We have been really shocked by the response.

"On Monday the weather was awful, but we had almost 250 visitors.”

The tours of Reculver Towers are free and no booking is required.