Cornwall’s Iconic Pepperpot Tower Relocated To Safeguard Against Coastal Erosion

The Pepper Pot was built in 1835 for Sir thomas Acland by George Wightwick, who modelled it after the ‘Temple of the Winds’ in Athens.  It stands proud on Efford Down. Originally the storm tower was built as a refuge for the coastguard, with an ornamental feature on the Efford Estate and part of Bude’s ambitious development plans according to the vistibude

The Grade II-listed tower Compass Point Storm Tower – known as the Pepperpot – sits on a clifftop near Bude overlooking the Atlantic. Built from sandstone and shale it has saved the lives of countless sailors over the past two centuries, and during high tides and storms, it was a landmark for passing ships.

Reporting from the BBC News, a coastguard would sit inside during high tides and storms and use a flagpole to alert ships. The tower is being moved to stop it from falling into the sea – it was previously relocated in 1881 for the same reason. The work, which started earlier this month, was originally planned to be completed by the end of the summer.

The 188-year-old Compass Point Storm Tower in Bude, Cornwall, is being moved piece by piece about 100m (328.08 feet) (330ft) inland due to coastal erosion.

The Grade II-listed tower, known locally as the Pepperpot, was previously relocated in 1881 for the same reason. The deconstruction is taking place after a crowdfunder raised £60,000. The National Lottery Heritage Fund also pledged £250,000 towards the work, Cornwall Council pledged £50,000 and Bude-Stratton Town Council granted £40,000.

The distinctive building, which has the points of a compass carved on each of its eight sides, is now a local attraction for coastal walkers.  Project manager for Bude-Stratton Town Council, said community efforts to save the tower had been “extremely successful”.

“In seven weeks we raised over £62,000, which was an incredible figure – we never expected to come anywhere near that, It’s such an iconic building for the town – people are very passionate about saving it and looking after it,” said the project manager Francesca Churchill-Zerilli, 

Nick Sharland, contract builder from Sally Strachey Historic Conservation, said of the work: “It’s fairly complicated in terms of the recording process of numbering the stones and rebuilding it like for like in a new location. “We’re also working to protect the grasslands and also the cliffside location.” The work is due to be completed by the end of the summer,” said Nick Sharland.

Produced in association with SWNS Talker

Edited by Eunice Anyango Oyule and Judy J. Rotich