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It dominates the horizon over Carmarthenshire's Tywi Valley.
Built by a man so desperate to become the local MP, he promised to build a much-needed bridge.
When he didn't win the election, he built himself a huge tower instead!
Or at least, that's one story…
THREAD
Built by a man so desperate to become the local MP, he promised to build a much-needed bridge.
When he didn't win the election, he built himself a huge tower instead!
Or at least, that's one story…
THREAD
The legend goes that William Paxton stood for parliament in 1802, treating the electorate to lavish dinners, promising a new bridge at Llandeilo.
Unsuccessful, he later erected the 36ft folly - as if in defiance of the valley's residents, who dubbed it 'the tower of spite'.
Unsuccessful, he later erected the 36ft folly - as if in defiance of the valley's residents, who dubbed it 'the tower of spite'.
The reality is rather different:
Built in 1805 by the wealthy Scottish businessman, and perched high above the village of Llanarthne, the majestic Paxton's Tower is, in fact, a folly designed to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, and impress the people of the valley.
Built in 1805 by the wealthy Scottish businessman, and perched high above the village of Llanarthne, the majestic Paxton's Tower is, in fact, a folly designed to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, and impress the people of the valley.
What is now known as Paxton's Tower, Paxton himself named Nelson's Tower.
Over each of the three arches he had placed an ode to Nelson in Welsh, English and Latin, and commissioned three stained glass windows, each depicting the Admiral.
Over each of the three arches he had placed an ode to Nelson in Welsh, English and Latin, and commissioned three stained glass windows, each depicting the Admiral.
Triangular in shape, the folly has a turret at each corner.
The ground floor is a 'grand porte cochere' (carriage porch), with large arched openings.
Above this is a hexagonal banqueting room, while in the tower is the prospect room - to take in the spectacular vistas.
The ground floor is a 'grand porte cochere' (carriage porch), with large arched openings.
Above this is a hexagonal banqueting room, while in the tower is the prospect room - to take in the spectacular vistas.
Whatever the truth behind Paxton's Tower, its views of the Tywi Valley and beyond into Carmarthenshire are utterly breathtaking.
More
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/feel-on-top-of-the-world-at-paxtons-tower-
https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32666/details/nelsons-tower-near-middleton-hall
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300009384-the-nelson-monument-also-known-as-paxtons-tower-llanarthney#.XvXyTJNKjlw
https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=paxton%27s%20tower
More
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/feel-on-top-of-the-world-at-paxtons-tower- https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32666/details/nelsons-tower-near-middleton-hall https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300009384-the-nelson-monument-also-known-as-paxtons-tower-llanarthney#.XvXyTJNKjlw https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=paxton%27s%20tower
If that thread inspired you to discover Wales' hidden histories and secret places, I'm compiling an ever-growing collection of threads you might want to read first! https://twitter.com/i/events/1271423644108034050
https://twitter.com/i/events/1271423644108034050
