Tower

These photos are of King Alfred’s Tower, also known as Stourton Tower, it is at the north western edge of the Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire, UK. It is a folly and was completed in 1772 at an estimated cost of £5,000-£6,000. Built of brick, the tower is 160 ft high and is triangular in shape, inside is a spiral staircase of 205 steps leading to a viewing platform. This was closed for the winter when I visited.

The tower was designed in 1765 by Henry Flitcroft, a notable 18th century

Palladian architect, St Mark’s tower in Venice being his inspiration.

Above the door on the south east side is a statue of King Alfred

just below is a stone panel with this inscription:

ALFRED THE GREAT

AD 879 on this Summit
Erected his Standard
Against Danish Invaders
To him We owe The Origin of Juries
The Establishment of a Militia
The Creation of a Naval Force
ALFRED The Light of a Benighted Age
Was a Philosopher and a Christian
The Father of his People
The Founder of the English
MONARCHY and LIBERTY

Surrounding the tower are miles of woodland, mostly part of the Stourhead Estate.