Built in 1827 for William Thomas Beckford, it was originally known as Lansdown Tower. Beckford, a novelist and art collector, bought a house on Lansdown Crescent near the center of the city. However, he also wanted an escape from city life, so he bought property on the top of Lansdown hill and commissioned the construction of a 154 foot tall tower to be used as his retreat and library. Many felt that Beckford squandered his family's money and thus called this site, Beckford's Folly.Following his death in 1844, Beckford's youngest daughter had his body moved from the Bath Abbey cemetery to a site adjacent to the tower. Shortly thereafter, the daughter donated the tower and property to Wolcot parish, so that a formal cemetery could be created. Other notables buried in the cemetery include British Labor politician, Henry Goodrich, Field Marshall William Rowan, and feminist writer Sarah Grand. While the grounds of the old part of the cemetery are not very well maintained, the views from the hill, especially from the top of the tower, are spectacular.
The 154 foot tall Beckford Tower sits atop Lansdown Hill and has a commanding view of the Bath countryside.
This 1844 chromolith by Willis Maddox depicts the drawing room at the base of the tower when Beckford used it as his retreat.
The Drawing Room as it looks today.
We've encountered a number of spiral staircases during our travels. This is one of the more picturesque.
Part of the museum on the middle level of the Tower.
The top of the Tower (just below the golden lantern)...
...has a commanding and spectacular view of the Bath countryside.
Looking across the older portion of the Wolcot Parish cemetery towards the Tower. As we mentioned, this part was not very well maintained.
Another portion of the cemetery, with the main entrance archway off to the right.
We were a bit disappointed that the cemetery grounds were not in better shape. It was a difficult to walk through the tall grass, and, as a result, did not get to see all of the graves.
Beckford had written that he wanted to be buried in a pink granite tomb next to the Tower, surrounded by a moat. So, his youngest daughter had his body moved from the Bath Abbey Cemetery to this site according to his wishes...
...that way he could enjoy his private retreat through all of eternity.
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