Up on a hill and visible for miles around is the Pigeon Tower. It stands at the highest point of the Terraced Gardens which were created out of the bare moorland by local businessman and philanthropist William Hesketh Lever, later Lord Levrhulme, founder of Lever Bros. Soap which later became part of the Unilever Empire.
RIVINGTON. The Pigeon Tower was built as a lookout at the highest point of the gardens to enjoy the views across the Lancashire Plain towards the coast at Blackpool.
The Pigeon Tower is the most obvious of the many striking features of the Gardens. They were commenced in 1905 and were in a constant state of development until Leverhulme’s death in 1925, after which they fell into a slow but progressive state of decline. Many of the buildings have fallen into disrepair or have been demolished entirely but now the tide is turning with a multi agency approach to stabilise and regenerate the gardens and buildings.
RIVINGTON. The Pigeon Tower queue. After many many years of derelicytion and neglect the tower has now been restored and refurbished and is open to the public on a limited basis. This was the first open day and there had been a steady queue of visitors to view the interior. On the day there was a raffle organized with the prize being an overnight stay in the tower.
RIVINGTON. The Pigeon Tower interior, showing the narrow interior spiral staicase that links the four floors.
RIVINGTON. The Pigeon Tower interior. The fireplace on the top floor of the tower, the inscription is Lord Leverhulme’s motto. The tower was built as a lookout to enjoy the views across the Lancashire Plain towards the coast at Blackpool as well as serving as Lady Lever’s sewing and music room.
On the day of my visit, August Bank Holiday Monday, the local volunteer group were holding an open day with visitors allowed into the tower for the first time in many years. They were also running a raffle to win an overnight stay in the tower, that would be a most unique experience and perhaps a slightly spooky one given the location high on the moors.
RIVINGTON. The Swiming Pool which lies below the Pigeon Tower. This shows the clearing taking place to remove the overgrowth of vegetation and open up the views and uncover the garden features which have been hidden beneath.
HORWICH. A Busy Town Under The Moors.
RIVINGTON. Sunlight And Old Stones.
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Categories: England, Folklore, Heritage, history, Nature, Photography, travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom
Tags: architecture, England, events, landscape, lifestyle, photography, Rivington, Terraced Gardens, The Pigeon Tower, travel
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