The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower in Swanage is a stone structure that rises in three distinct stages, decorated with Gothic details including double buttresses and a copper cupola at the top. The lowest level features arched doorways with canopies, while the middle section displays segmental windows.

The structure was first built in 1854 at London Bridge as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington. It was taken apart and moved to Swanage in 1867 by local workers, where it has remained a key part of the seafront ever since.

The tower shows how Victorians created impressive public spaces and displayed their engineering skill through stone and decoration. It stands on the seafront as a landmark that visitors naturally notice and use to find their way around.

The tower sits right on the seafront and is easy to reach on foot when exploring the harbor area. On clear days you can spot it from different points along the coast and use it as a navigation point.

It is one of the few examples of a complete London monument being relocated far inland in England, something that would be impossible today. This unusual journey makes it a remarkable example of Victorian boldness in moving entire stone structures.