This is an exceptionally fine Georgian folly, possibly the only surviving work of Thomas Sandby, first Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy. It stands on the shore of the Solent looking towards Cowes. The view, particularly of ships entering and leaving Southampton by the deep water channel, is magnificent – as, in another way, is the sight, from its top, of the Fawley refinery and power station. It also has the magic of those places where trees, especially yews and ilexes as here, come right down to the salt sea’s edge.

It was built for Temple Luttrell, a Member of Parliament (but reputedly a smuggler here) who died in Paris in 1803. His brother-inlaw, Lord Cavan, who commanded our forces in Egypt from 1801, was the next owner and brought with him the two mysterious feet on a plinth of Nubian granite, now at the tower and thought to be the base of a XIXth dynasty statue of Rameses II.

Thereafter the tower passed through various hands; Queen Victoria nearly bought it (with Eaglehurst House) instead of Osborne, and Marconi used it for his wireless experiments of 1912. Sir Clough Williams-Ellis designed the double staircase that gives access to it from the beach, too grand really for anyone but Neptune.

We bought the tower in 1968. Inside, all the rooms have handsome chimney pieces and the top room has fine plaster and shellwork as well. We have arranged this splendid eyrie so that you can cook, eat and sit in it, watching the Solent all the while. There is also a tunnel from the basement to the beach, made perhaps for the smuggling Member.

View our history sheet for this Landmark

Sleeps: 4