We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?
Latitude: 51.3977 / 51°23'51"N
Longitude: -2.3742 / 2°22'27"W
OS Eastings: 374064
OS Northings: 166585
OS Grid: ST740665
Mapcode National: GBR 0Q9.6L6
Mapcode Global: VH96L.S4QC
Plus Code: 9C3V9JXG+38
Entry Name: Belvedere Tower to Summerhill Park (Blaine's Folly)
Listing Date: 15 May 1997
Last Amended: 15 October 2010
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1394944
English Heritage Legacy ID: 510360
Also known as: Blaine's Tower
ID on this website: 101394944
Location: Primrose Hill, Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, BA1
County: Bath and North East Somerset
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Bath
Traditional County: Somerset
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Somerset
Tagged with: Tower
COLLEGE ROAD
(South West side)
Belvedere tower to
Summerhill Park (Blaine's
Folly) (formerly listed as
Blaine's Tower in the
grounds of Kingswood
School, Summerhill Park)
15.05.97
II
Belvedere tower. c1870. Possibly by Hickes and Isaac, architects of Bath.
MATERIALS: Limestone ashlar and rock faced rubble, roof not visible. Tall Italianate prospect tower, consisting of a square shaft with slight taper in ashlar above battered rubble base; blocked doorway with small flat hood on corbel brackets, slit windows for circular stair. Belvedere top storey with three-light arcaded window to each face. Originally with plain sash windows, but almost all plate glass has now gone. Corbelled parapet with turned balusters above, partly damaged and missing.
INTERIOR: Not inspected.
HISTORY: This tower, one of the many belvederes in the Bath area, is known as Blaine's Folly. It was built by Sir Robert Blaine (M.P. for Bath 1883-1886) after he bought Summerhill Park in 1868. The architects Hickes and Isaac of 40 Gay Street are known to have carried out works for Blaine in c1870 (re building control records) and may have designed this structure too. Blaine was known as a philanthropist, and it is thought that this building was constructed to provide employment. There is a suggestion that this was also a water tower but there is no physical evidence available for this use. Sale particulars for the estate in c1900 describe the structure as 'a lofty stone tower, about 120ft high, containing two rooms, from which are obtained splendid views of the City of Bath and the charming surrounding country; the summit is easily reached by a graduated incline'. A late example of a Picturesque prospect tower, and an interesting echo of the much more celebrated Lansdown Tower.
SOURCES: [Information from Michael Bishop, Kingswood School archivist].
Listing NGR: ST7406466585
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
Other nearby listed buildings
