The Observatory ST5655 7325
The tower was originally a snuff mill built in 1766, but burnt out in a storm in 1777. It became a ruin until 1828 when William West, an important local artist, leased it and in 1834 built a domed extension for an astronomical telescope and put a Camera Obscura on top of the tower that still exists. He then excavated below the tower to gain entrance to the natural cave below (known as the Giant’s cave), and opened up for tourists. All subsequent owners have done the same. It is open during the summer months.
The tower was originally a snuff mill built in 1766, but burnt out in a storm in 1777. It became a ruin until 1828 when William West, an important local artist, leased it and in 1834 built a domed extension for an astronomical telescope and put a Camera Obscura on top of the tower that still exists. He then excavated below the tower to gain entrance to the natural cave below (known as the Giant’s cave), and opened up for tourists. All subsequent owners have done the same. It is open during the summer months.