Tower On St Michaels Hill

The Tower on St. Michael's Hill is a folly built in 1760, serving as a signal tower. Constructed from Ham stone ashlar, it features a flat stone top and has a circular plan with a diameter of about 3 meters and a height of approximately 12 meters. The east side has a chamfered flat-arched doorway, while three slit-light windows are positioned at various levels on the north-west, south, and south-east sides, illuminating the internal newel stone staircase. A string course runs around the crown of the tower, above which the walls taper inward toward the flat top. On the east face, above the string course, there is a cantilevered platform with a doorway at the top of the stairs, and an external staircase leads to the flat top, which lacks guard rails. Above the doorway, a Greek inscription is present along with the initials 'K.P. 1760', although Edward Phelips is believed to be the actual builder. The hill was once the site of a Norman Castle, mostly demolished to construct the Priory of Montacute. St. Michael's Chapel, first recorded in 1102, remained until at least the mid-17th century, and its site is now occupied by the tower. The tower was used as a signal tower to communicate with Swayne Harbin at Newton Surmaville and Mr. Goodford of Chilton Cantelo. It is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 101).