Carleton Martello Tower
Carleton Martello Tower
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4.0
191 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
73
Average
44
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Heather B
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Canada421 contributions
Aug 2021
Went here thinking it'd be something to see. It was not.
What we did see however was two drug deals in the parking lot. It was the middle of a summer day. Area around this "attraction" also seems to be a poor part of the city. Lots of run down housing and nothing else noteworthy near by.
What we did see however was two drug deals in the parking lot. It was the middle of a summer day. Area around this "attraction" also seems to be a poor part of the city. Lots of run down housing and nothing else noteworthy near by.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter B
Quispamsis, Canada17 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Haven't been to Martello tower since i was a kid. Visited with some friends this summer and really enjoyed it. Nicely restored with friendly knowledgeble guides to give you a tour or answer any questions. Not to mention a great view of Saint John
Written 2 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WDFerguson
Navasota, TX181 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Built in 1812, served as detention center for deserters in WWI and WWII as a fire command post. A circular stone fort that defended St John for 130 years.
Written 15 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kermit403
Coaldale, Canada765 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
This Parks Canada site is very interesting. The tower was built at the time of the war of 1812, and has been used at different times as a military installation since, up to World War II. the interpretive centre has some good background information and we took that in before touring the tower itself.
We climbed the stairs to be greeted by an interpreter, whose first words were, "Hello, Bonjour, watch your head!" Apparently soldiers back then were shorter or had very hard heads. The main door has very low headroom. The main level of the fort, which is actually the second level, contains the main area, where the soldiers slept, prepared their food etc. It also has cannons and ports which they were shot through. Must have been loud!
The interpreter was informative and answered every question we had.
I won't go into detail on the rest of the fort but this is worth the visit.
We climbed the stairs to be greeted by an interpreter, whose first words were, "Hello, Bonjour, watch your head!" Apparently soldiers back then were shorter or had very hard heads. The main door has very low headroom. The main level of the fort, which is actually the second level, contains the main area, where the soldiers slept, prepared their food etc. It also has cannons and ports which they were shot through. Must have been loud!
The interpreter was informative and answered every question we had.
I won't go into detail on the rest of the fort but this is worth the visit.
Written 1 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrWayne
Blackfalds, Canada211 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
This well preserved tower is a wonderful chance to learn a little about Canada's military history as well as some of the history of the region. The interpreters are terrific and really know their stuff. It's small, doesn't take much time to go through, but it's worth a stop.
Written 29 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
globeseeker007
globeseeker0073,255 contributions
We stopped by this place before taking the ferry to Digby. It's very close to the ferry terminal. Unfortunately, the morning was very foggy so we couldn't get any good outside photos of the structure. I have visited martellos in Quebec so I knew what the inside would be like. However, this one has an added floor on top. It was used as a lookout for enemy ships during WWII. The guide inside the martello was very knowledgable about the history of the structure. It was a good way to spend the morning and still make it on time for the channel crossing.
Written 9 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunflower7829
canada34 contributions
The price is right to get in - $2.90 per person.
The tower is only accessible when a member of staff is there, we had 2 "tour Guides" the first one let us in and said if we had any questions or wanted the full tour of everything to let him know. Then we went downstairs to view and he was replaced by another person who gave us the entire speel even though we weren't particularly interested.
We were lucky to have a clear day that allowed us to view Nova Scotia in the distance. Picture taking on a clear day is wonderful because the tower, obviously, overlooks the bay. Otherwise on a foggy day, your picture taking may be limited.
For Canadians, it is an interesting history lesson. Also in view from the tower is Partridge Island, which was the quarantine island during the Irish potato famine, we were told there is no direct access to this island but if you are adventurous there is probably a way out there.
The tower is only accessible when a member of staff is there, we had 2 "tour Guides" the first one let us in and said if we had any questions or wanted the full tour of everything to let him know. Then we went downstairs to view and he was replaced by another person who gave us the entire speel even though we weren't particularly interested.
We were lucky to have a clear day that allowed us to view Nova Scotia in the distance. Picture taking on a clear day is wonderful because the tower, obviously, overlooks the bay. Otherwise on a foggy day, your picture taking may be limited.
For Canadians, it is an interesting history lesson. Also in view from the tower is Partridge Island, which was the quarantine island during the Irish potato famine, we were told there is no direct access to this island but if you are adventurous there is probably a way out there.
Written 30 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wldtravels
florida239 contributions
Oct 2019
This tower was closed when we got there. Nothing is nearby, so it is not really worth going to by itself. Now that it costs money to enter (assuming it is ever open), it is a stretch to recommend. Maybe it is closed while they renovate it.
We were there before, when it was free, and it is unique in one way... it's like entering the base of a large lighthouse with a few floors of functional space, only it was used for military purposes instead of harbor safety. It had a few displays on each level explaining it's history, and a decent view from the top floor of the harbor, and it was well preserved. At $8/pp to see now, it is hard to recommend unless you really like seeing any military structure. And, be sure it is even open if you decide to go. Maybe the $8 includes an actual tour, or audio tour, which would help justify the cost...but at this point...this visit was a bust.
I should also mention the site has an office where you pay and restrooms available at the office.
We were there before, when it was free, and it is unique in one way... it's like entering the base of a large lighthouse with a few floors of functional space, only it was used for military purposes instead of harbor safety. It had a few displays on each level explaining it's history, and a decent view from the top floor of the harbor, and it was well preserved. At $8/pp to see now, it is hard to recommend unless you really like seeing any military structure. And, be sure it is even open if you decide to go. Maybe the $8 includes an actual tour, or audio tour, which would help justify the cost...but at this point...this visit was a bust.
I should also mention the site has an office where you pay and restrooms available at the office.
Written 23 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ONTARIO1981
CANADA319 contributions
Aug 2019
Interesting history was told to us about this tower by our tour guide. I wouldn't go out of my way to trek here and visit, but it was a stop with our bus and our tour guide mentioned its historical significance as we took a photo op.
Written 24 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacky P
Northants, UK203 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We were delighted to find the information centre still open in October. There was a friendly welcome from the lady on duty there and an eleven minute short film, which was one of the best I have seen... Entertaining, informative, with masses of info packed into its short length. I highly recommend a visit, even while the tower itself is closed for repairs.
Written 3 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it safe to leave car at Bay Ferry terminal parking lot to visit Digby, NS for 3 days? Anyone had any bad consequences? Lady at terminal said to do so would be " at your own rusk". Now I am feeling uncomfortable to leave my car there. Was planning to rent a car at Digby, which is less expensive than putting car on ferry.
Written 22 March 2016
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