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Fonthill Abbey, mentioned in more detail in the Wiltshire section, was the inspiration of the eccentric William Beckford, this being his later creation.
After he sold Fonthill - just in time as it fell down shortly afterwards - he moved to Bath. Having a need to house his collection of fine arts he decided to have another folly built, although on a less grand scale than Fonthill. The 130 foot tall tower on Lansdown Hill to the north of Bath is the result of his labours.




The photograph shows Beckford`s grave in the shadow of his magnificent home, after it has recently been restored at a cost of £650,000.



Landscaped Gardens
His home originally sat in a mile long landscape garden - complete with a grotto - that extended down to Lansdown Crescent in the city below, where his home was situated.
The tower was built in 1827, after being designed by Henry Goodridge, a local architect. In fact it is more than just a folly, as there are various rooms for his collection of art works, on the lower floors. From here you climb the 164 steps up a beautiful stone spiral stairwell to the belvedere, then there are a further 63 wooden stairs to the lantern on the top.
Two years before his death in May 1842, Beckford decided he would build his own tomb in the grounds of his home.

Beckford`s Death
However, upon his death he was buried in the nearby abbey cemetery in the city itself.
His daughter the Dutchess of Hamilton allowed a cemetery to be created in what was the gardens in 1847, on condition her father would be laid to rest in the tomb he had built.
Eventually 3 years after his death William Beckford came home to his final resting place.

Visiting:-
Open during the sumer. Also includes a small museum devoted to Beckford and his life.


Stairwell  

Looking to the city   from the top

View of the lantern  

Co-Ords: 373700 167600 / ST 737676  

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