Cranmore Tower

Cranmore Tower is a folly and prospect tower completed in 1865 by T.H. Wyatt for John Moore Paget of Cranmore Hall, which is now part of All Hallows School. The tower is built of rubble and features a pyramidal lead-sheeting roof, wide projecting eaves with a cornice, and a spike and ball finial. It is square in plan and designed in an Italianate style, standing approximately 45 meters high. At the top, there is a viewing area with a pair of semi-circular headed openings on each face, each with a restored iron-railed balcony beneath. A similar balcony encircles the tower just over halfway up. Access to the balconies is provided by an internal timber staircase, which has been restored, and single round-headed windows serve as stairlights at intervals. The entrance is located at the base on the east side. The buildings adjacent to the north at the base of the tower have been virtually completely rebuilt and are not of special interest. The tower is prominently situated on a high point of the East Mendip range.