Beckford Tower, Bath

This notable folly built at the top of Lansdowne Hill above Bath by William Beckford, of Fonthill Abbey fame, in the early 19th century had by 1995 fallen into a state of disrepair as the composite iron and timber structure of the lantern at the head of the tower had suffered rot and the effects of severe exposure.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund enabled the Beckford Tower Trust to commission us to undertake its repair.  This task entailed the partial dismantling of the lantern structure, saving its iron and timber components for reconstruction, and careful strengthening with new stainless steel stiffening and flitch plates. 

The cast iron roof and columns were cleaned and regilded, internal staircases repaired, and the belvedere at the head of the tower, where Beckford would take his friends to enjoy the views over Bath and Bristol, restored using information from early watercolours.