Reconnecting Beckford’s Tower and Landscape

Last month saw the reopening of Beckford’s Tower, a Grade l folly constructed between 1826 and 1827 for novelist and MP William Beckford. The Tower functioned as a study retreat and housed Beckford’s collection of art, objects and rare books, made possible through wealth from the transatlantic slave trade.

The 154-foot Tower stands in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking Bath with, as Beckford declared, “the finest prospect in Europe”.

The Tower was on the National ‘At Risk’ register due to deterioration of the highly exposed lantern and stonework. Our award of £20,000 helped the conservation work to the lantern, where timber panels needed replacing to address water ingress issues. It also helped to restore original architectural features including windows and decorative ironwork to the belvedere enabling visitors once more to enjoy the stunning views across the landscape

The historically significant Tower is brought right up to date with the addition of solar panels to create a clean energy source. Beckford’s immense power and privilege, and the traumatic source of his wealth is carefully addressed in displays within the Tower which is now open to the public. The total refurbishment cost £3.9m and the Tower is no longer At Risk.

Patrizia Ribul, Director of Museums at Bath Preservation Trust said: “The funding from the Pilgrim Trust enabled us to undertake urgent and essential repairs to Beckford Tower, futureproofing it for years to come and preserving it for future generations.

“We are so grateful for the Pilgrim Trust’s support that allowed us to complete critical repairs.”

Sue Bowers, Director of the Pilgrim Trust said: “Whilst we are not the biggest funder on this project by any means, it’s a good example of how we like to approach funding. The application was very focused on a specific area of need – the lantern and belvedere. Securing the structure and stopping water ingress on the lantern was key to stabilising the building.”

This grant came from our Preservation and Conservation grant programme. Within this grant programme, we support the preservation of historic buildings and structures that are historically and culturally significant.

Find out more about Beckford’s Tower