James Harrison, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, did two things. In a fit of patriotism he lit a beacon on nearby Clougha Pike on the date of the Jubilee, and his second deed was rather more enduring - he commissioned a local mason to build a folly view tower.
This was built to be a viewing tower, and here is some of what can be seen: Face out to sea and look at the great views of Lancaster close by, with Heysham and its power station beyond. To the right, looking north on a clear day shows the Lake District and it’s southern mountains. Behind is Hare Appletree Fell and a path up to Clougha Pike. The road to the left will take you to the Trough of Bowland, a fantastic drive through this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Tower is a plain stone structure 3.87 metres square and 4.5 metres high with a stone staircase up to the flat top, which is surrounded by a crenellated wall. There are no doors or windows in the outer walls.
Paul.
