W  a  i  n  h  o  u  s  e  ` s
T  o  w  e  r






This slender 274 foot tall tower is I believe the tallest folly in the Country, and was in fact originally built as a chimney to serve the local dye works, owned by a Mr John Wainhouse.
The atmosphere in these towns at the end of the 19th century was appalling and led to the introduction of the Smoke Abatement Act of 1870. This in turn led to Mr Wainhouse having to build his chimney.

     Photo Submitted by, and Copyright of :- Richard Cutts of Bolton.

However before the tower was finished Mr Wainhouse sold his dye factory, and the new owner did not want the tower included in the purchase, due to the high cost of finishing the construction. The tower was in fact some distance from the factory, the smoke getting to it via an underground tunnel, which added to the cost.

The Conversion:-
Mr Wainhouse promptly decided to convert the tower to an astronomical observatory, and in 1875 the tower was finally finished, consisting of a elegant octagonal column, with the most ornate top you will find on any folly tower.
The story then goes that poor Mr Wainhouse was unable to see over the parapet at the top, and refused to pay the building costs of £14,000 until this issue was rectified.

     Photo Submitted by, and Copyright of :- Richard Cutts of Bolton.

Co-Ords: 407845 424000 / SE 078240   

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