TOWER ON ST MICHAELS HILL

List Entry Summary

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Location

TOWER ON ST MICHAELS HILL

The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

Legacy System Information

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Asset Groupings

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List entry Description

Summary of Building

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Reasons for Designation

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History

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Details

ST4614 MONTACUTE CP 8/87 Tower on St. Michaels Hill 19.4.61 - II Folly, used as signal tower. 1760. Ham stone ashlar, flat stone top. Circular on plan, about 3m diameter, and about 12m tall: chamfered flat- arched doorway on east side, and 3 slit-light windows at various levels on north-west, south and south-east sectors, illuminating the internal newel stone staircase; at the crown there is a string course, above which the walls have a marked batter into the flat top: on the east face above the string is a cantilevered platform with doorway at head of stairs, and an external stair to the flat top, without any surviving guard rails. There is a Greek inscription over the doorway and the initials 'K.P. 1760' (but Edward Phelips was the likely builder). The hill was the site of a Norman Castle, mostly demolished to build the Priory of Montacute: St. Michael's Chapel, first recorded 1102, survived at least until the mid C17; its site now occupied by the tower, which was used as a signal tower to Swayne Harbin at Newton Surmaville (using the Round House, Item 2/26 Barwick C.P., q.v) and Mr. Goodford, of Chilton Cantelo. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 101). (Nares S, Country Life, 5th September, 1952, p679).

Listing NGR: ST4934816977

Selected Sources

Books and journals
'Country Life' in 5 September, (1952), 679

National Grid Reference: ST 49348 16977

Map

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