This is a fortress-like folly built by Sir John Vanburgh, or Vanbrugh, the architect and dramatist, for his own occupation when he was Surveyor to the Royal Naval Hospital in 1719. Sir John lived there from 1719 to 1726, as attested by a blue plaque outside. The castle is modelled on the French Bastille, where Vanbrugh was imprisoned on charges of spying for the British in 1690-92. Greenwich, London. (07/08/1993)