Luttrell's Tower, Folly tower near Calshot, England
Luttrell's Tower is a brick structure near Fawley that rises three stories with a circular stair turret extending multiple levels higher than the main body. The building stands close to the shore with views toward the Solent.
Simeon Luttrell commissioned architect Thomas Sandby to design this observation tower in 1780 for monitoring purposes. The structure later served as a site for early wireless experimentation.
This structure reflects the Georgian taste for ornamental buildings that served as conversation pieces rather than functional spaces. The design shows how landowners used architecture to display wealth and aesthetic sensibility.
The property is now managed as a vacation rental by the Landmark Trust and can be viewed from the exterior. Visitors should be aware of coastal conditions and tides if planning to walk toward the beach.
An underground tunnel connects the cellar to the beach and was once used for smuggling operations. This hidden passage reveals the layered history of the site across different periods.
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