The Tower Or Pepper Pot

THE TOWER OR PEPPER POT, 1, TOWER ROAD

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1381031
Date first listed:
13-Oct-1952
List Entry Name:
The Tower Or Pepper Pot
Statutory Address:
THE TOWER OR PEPPER POT, 1, TOWER ROAD
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Archive image, may not represent current condition of site.
Date:
2005-08-03
Reference:
IOE01/14542/05
Rights:
© Miss Esther Harbour. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1381031
Date first listed:
13-Oct-1952
Date of most recent amendment:
26-Aug-1999
List Entry Name:
The Tower Or Pepper Pot
Statutory Address 1:
THE TOWER OR PEPPER POT, 1, TOWER ROAD

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
THE TOWER OR PEPPER POT, 1, TOWER ROAD

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

District:
The City of Brighton and Hove (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
TQ 32162 04760

Details

BRIGHTON

TQ3204NW TOWER ROAD
577-1/35/909 No.1
13/10/52 The Tower or "Pepper Pot"
(Formerly Listed as:
ATTREE DRIVE
No.1
The Tower or the "Pepper Box")

II

Garden observation tower, built for the grounds of Attree
Villa (not included). 1830. Designed by Charles Barry for the
Brighton Solicitor and property developer, Thomas Attree.
Cement scored to resemble ashlar blocks. Domical roof also in
cement. Base is octagonal in plan; upper stages circular in
plan.
EXTERIOR: 4 stages. The lowest stage has a plinth from which
rise battered walls to an entablature with projecting cornice.
The entrance is set in the south-east face, in front of which
is a semicircular area enclosed by low parapet walls. The drum
to the second stage is low, defined by a plinth below and a
cornice above. The third stage is the tallest and most
prominent. 11 giant attached columns of the Composite order
support an entablature with a modillioned cornice. In the
upper reaches of the wall between each pair of columns is one
flat-arched window with a sill band. A wall band the height of
each capital projects forward slightly to articulate this
area. The line of each column continues into the 4th, top
stage, expressed by a pilastrade. The area between each pair
of pilasters is treated as a recessed panel. The entablature
of the top stage is very rich, and steps out about each
pilaster. The vertical lines terminate in a series of ball
finials above the cornice. The elliptical dome is fielded. At
the very top, in metal, an urn.
HISTORICAL NOTE: in the 1960s the single-storey extension
opposite the entrance was converted into a public lavatory by
the Borough Council. The building's original purpose can only
be speculated (it may have housed a water tower or even served
as a sewer vent). Since construction it has served several
purposes. In the mid to late C19 George Duddell, who purchased
Attree Villa and grounds in 1863, used it to print the
"Brighton Daily Mail". It was presented to the Corporation
with the rest of the estate in 1891. During the WWII it was
used as a military observation tower, and after as a
headquarters for a boy scout troupe, and, later still, as an
artist's studio. It is known locally as the "Pepper Pot".
(Carder T: The Encyclopaedia of Brighton: Lewes: 1990-: 138C).

Listing NGR: TQ3216204760

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
481374
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Carder, T, Encyclopaedia of Brighton, (1990), 138C

Legal

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

Ordnance survey map of The Tower Or Pepper Pot

Map

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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