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Belvedere or Prospect Tower is crowned by a gold ball and a fretted cast iron finial on an octagonal pavilion roof with acroteria to angles, cornice, and frieze of three circles to each facet supported by eight fluted columns fronting panelled lantern, a free adaptation of the Athenian Choragic monument of Lysicrates. The eight-sided parapet has a richly-moulded cornice and the plinth has pierced vertical slots to the panels. There is a decorated square-plan tower below. Three deep flat-arched recesses to each side have plate glass semi-circular arched windows. The main shaft of the tower is plain with raised lintels on blocks and raised sills to three slit windows to the right of each floor. The entrance to the two-storey former mortuary chapel to the left is approached by a flight of steps between low walls that turn to the front platform spanning the facade.
The cast ironwork was restored by Dorothea Restorations of Bristol in 1997, with the ring of iron acanthus leaves around the edge of the roof having been removed in 1931 during restoration. Moulds were made from a single survivor in 1997 and new castings made of the scroll-shaped ornaments between the eight roof panels. The re-gilding is with gold leaf, the ironwork having been treated with epoxy-resin paint.
Title
Beckfords Tower
Date
1827
Medium
ashlar, slate & cast iron
Measurements
H 4700 x W (?) x D (?) cm
Accession number
BA1_WAC_S054
Acquisition method
funded by William Thomas Beckford
Work type
Monument
Listing status
Grade I (England and Wales)
Listing date
11/08/72
Access
at all times
