H a r t s h e a d   P i k e   T o w e r

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Text on this page submitted by David Tomlinson

Hartshead Pike tower, which lies just outside Ashton on the medlock valley way is not the first on this site and lies just south of where a previous tower stood. With its pitched roof and chimney, ornate windows that are now sadly bricked up, the tower has been the subject for graffiti and is in need of restoration with a steel door that is permanently looked. Yet from here the four counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire can be seen and one can only imagine the tower in its heyday when it contained a sweet shop and visitors paid a small charge to climb the stairs.

The name "Hartshead Pike" is generally used to mean the tower, it was originally the name of the hill itself. The pike is not the highest part of the hill, but, at 940 feet above sea level, its prominent position has meant that, from early times, it has been the site of a beacon or signaling station. Fires were said to be built there in Roman times, and in 1588 warning beacons were lit for the coming of the Spanish Armada.

The earliest structure on this spot may have been a stone pillar, erected to commemorate the passing through the area of King Canute, who is also remembered in the names of Knott Hill and Knott Lanes.

A tower had been built on the hill by the eighteenth century as it was re-built in 1751 by a public subscription. However, it was badly damaged by lightning and a hundred years later, all that remained was a ring of stone.

The present tower was built in 1863 by John Eaton and it was declared open in November 1928. built a little south of the earlier structure, to mark the wedding of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The land on which the tower stands was given to the town by Lord Stamford, who also gave the stone for the tower's construction.

A "time capsule" was buried in a space below the foundation stone. This was a sealed bottle containing local newspapers, Victorian coins, poetry and documents. Inside the tower was a shop selling refreshments. Visitors could pay a small charge to climb stairs to enjoy the view from windows high up in the building. The inside of the tower was vandalised around a hundred years ago, showing that this is not a purely modern problem.

The Plaques on the tower read Plaque from 1751 pike.
"Look well at me Before You go And See You nothing at me throw"

"This Pike Was Rebuilt By Publick Contributions Anno Domini 1751"

When rebuilt in 1863 the following plaques were added.
"and re erected by public subscription to commemorate the marriage of"

"H.R.H Albert Edward, Prince of wales to H.R.H the princess Alexandra of Denmark and to restore the ancient landmark of HARTSHEAD PIKE"

"The Rt.honerable George Harry 7th earl of Stamford & Warrington being lord of the manor. Arthur Payne eqs steward."

"The foundation stone was laid by Samuel Duncoft Lees M.D. mayor of the manor September 17th 1863"

Visiting:-

The pike can be reached from a minor road off the A669 at Lees. A pub called the Colliers Arms is not far from the pike, once used as a watering hole for miners working a nearby pit.

 

Co-ords - 396100, 402400 SD 961 024

 

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