G i b r a l t a r  T o w e r

 

Situated just a few miles from Brightling and Mad Jack Fuller's follies
is the town of Heathfield. Standing isolated at one corner of very overgrown Heathfield park is the sadly neglected, embattled Gibraltar Tower.

its construction began in March 1792 by Francis Newbery in commemoration of the 4 year siege of Gibraltar by the Spanish from 1779 to 1783, and to the valour of Brigadier-General George Augustus Elliot. He was later to become the Baron of Heathfield.

Gibraltar tower is a mighty one and a personal favourite of mine. The top floors inside however were gutted by a terrible fire, which destroyed the exquisite gothic plasterwork and the pictures of the siege that used to hang on its interior walls. The 3 story tower rises from an octagonal base some 15 feet, where it becomes circular rising 55 feet to its embattled top.

The stubby embattlements are now falling into decay along with most of its windows that hang dangerously within the Gothic arches that once housed them. The 'body' of the tower is beautifully decorated with circular niches, arrow-slits and blind quarterfoils, and neatly finished off with a ring of small arches below its embattled crown.

Calpes Defensori

Over the now sealed door of the tower is a tablet inscribed 'Calpes Defensori'. The letters of these words were formed from smelted metal from guns of the captured Spanish batteries, and translated they read 'To the defender of Gibraltar'. A very prestigious medal indeed to any serving officer, it would seem.

Below: A View from the magnificent, - and very unusual for a tower, decorated stone staircase that runs up to it. Apart from its age it remains immaculate. The very high walls that surround the overgrown woodland park has thankfully kept the vandals away from the tower, so far.

A Turner painting of this great tower can be viewed at the Tate Gallery in London.

In the 1970's the tower was refurbished and opened to the public being the centrepiece of a small theme park. Unfortunately this business venture was a failure and it closed down. The tower remained.

Visting:-

Gibraltar tower is built within Heathfield Park, on strictly private land and special permission must be sought to visit it. However, good views can be obtained from the B2203 road that runs past the high walled park.

Co-ords 558700 121300/ TQ587213  

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