King Alfred's Tower, also known as The Folly of King Alfred the Great or Stourton Tower, is a folly tower.
It is in the parish of Brewham in Somerset, and was built as part of the Stourhead estate and landscape. The tower stands on Kingsettle Hill and belongs to the National Trust. It is designated as a Grade I listed building.
Henry Hoare II planned the tower in 1762 to commemorate the end of the Seven Years' War against France and the accession of King George III near the location of 'Egbert's stone' where it is believed that Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, rallied the Saxons in May 878 before the important Battle of Edington.
In 1765 Henry Flitcroft, a Palladian architect, designed the tower. Building began in 1769 or early 1770, and was completed in 1772 at an estimated cost between £5,000 and £6,000.
It was damaged in 1944 when an aeroplane, a Noorduyn Norseman, crashed into it, resulting in the death of the five aircrew and damage to the highest 10 metres (33 ft).
The tower was restored in 1986, which included the use of a Wessex helicopter to lower a 300-kilogram (47 st) stone onto the top. The statue of King Alfred was also restored at this time, including the replacement of his missing right forearm.
The stone tablet above the door on the east face of the tower reads:
"ALFRED THE GREAT
AD 879 on this Summit
Erected his Standard
Against Danish Invaders
To him We owe The Origin of Juries
The Establishment of a Militia
The Creation of a Naval Force
ALFRED The Light of a Benighted Age
Was a Philosopher and a Christian
The Father of his People
The Founder of the English
MONARCHY and LIBERTY"
@pasttheirprime Thank you-glad you like my shot. The tower can be climbed and it has some great views on a clear day (usually it is closed during the winter, but open during weekends I think from Spring to October). Check on the National Trust Website.
Kev @snaggy