Rushford Tower

SX 78 NW CHAGFORD

4/66 Rushford Tower 20.2.52 - II

Small observation tower. Mid or late C19. Granite stone rubble laid to rough courses with large dressed quoins and some granite ashlar detail; roof is now missing. Plan and description: small square-section tower, originally 2 storeys high. It faces east with a circular newel stair turret projecting from the left (south) side and rising higher than the tower. It is Victorian Gothic in style. The tower front contains a relatively large doorway; a 2-centred arch with ashlar voussoirs, and it contains a plank door. Directly above is a twin lancet window with sunken spandrels in the headstone. At the top is a plain projecting stringcourse but the parapet above has collapsed. The stringcourse is continued round the stair turret. Below this is a tiny slit window lighting the stairs and above it a series of small plain lancets and another stringcourse at the top. Inside only the granite stairs remain. This small observation tower is situated in woodland owned by the Hayter-Hames family of Chagford House (q.v.). The family used the woods for shooting parties and the tower was used by the women and children to watch the sport.

Listing NGR: SX7026489052