Derry Ormond Tower is a Grade II* listed building in the Ceredigion local planning authority area, Wales. First listed on 28 February 1952. Column.

Derry Ormond Tower

WRENN ID
gaunt-soffit-thistle
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Ceredigion
Constituency
Ceredigion Preseli MP: Ben Lake (PC)
Country
Wales
Date first listed
28 February 1952
Type
Column
Address
Derry Ormond Tower, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Llangybi
OS grid reference
SN 589 516
Coordinates
52.14537, -4.06229
Source
Cadw listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

Derry Ormond Tower is a monumental column standing on a very large square pedestal, with an overall height of approximately 38.7 meters. The structure is built of coursed squared rubble stone. The pedestal measures 8.3 meters high and 4.3 meters wide, featuring a two-step plinth and a tall main section. The eastern side of the pedestal has a pointed doorway made with stone voussoirs, which is now infilled with concrete block. At the top of the pedestal is a far projecting two-step cornice made of rough stone.

The column itself is 31.4 meters tall and has a square plinth and a rounded base. The shaft of the column exhibits some entasis or swelling, measuring 3.8 meters in diameter at the base. At the top, there is a neck ring followed by an eroded band of corbelling, which is currently covered by slate slabs but was apparently once a viewing platform. The top of the column was consolidated with concrete in 1971. The shaft contains narrow loops that allow light to the winding stair, which is now blocked.

Local climate

Derry Ormond Tower sits in one of the wettest parts of the UK, with an average of 1,280 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 94% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 89% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 39 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 74% of listed buildings. Of these, 20 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  6. Ffynnon Gybi Grade II 1.9 km
  7. Ffronfelen Grade II 2.0 km
  8. Pont Llangybi Grade II 2.4 km
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