The tower is shaped like a giant triangle, with each side measuring approximately 16 feet.
It commemorates the spot where King Alfred the Great allegedly raised his standard in 878 AD before the Battle of Ethandun.
The original 1762 design by Henry Flitcroft was initially intended to be a statue of King Alfred, but plans shifted to a tower to improve the view of the surrounding estate.
A lightning strike in 1826 caused severe damage, requiring the structure to be partially rebuilt.
The tower's height of 160 feet makes it one of the tallest triangular follies in the world.
It is situated on the edge of the Stourhead estate, an 18th-century landscape garden known for its artificial lake and classical temples.
The bricks used for the tower were fired on the Stourhead estate using local clay.
A stone statue of King Alfred, added in 1962, stands in a niche above the entrance doorway.
Alfred's Tower is a 160-foot triangular folly built in the 1770s by Henry Hoare II to commemorate the accession of King George III and the legendary site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops in 878 AD. Located on the Stourhead estate, the tower features a hollow triangular design with a winding internal staircase leading to a viewing gallery. The structure sits atop Kingsettle Hill, providing extensive vistas across the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset. It is constructed primarily from red brick with stone dressings, characterized by a Gothic-inspired architectural style. Visitors can access the observation platform via a narrow flight of over 200 steps. The site is maintained by the National Trust and is located within the designated Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
From the base of the tower looking upwards to capture the unique triangular geometry and red brickwork.
The internal staircase is very narrow and steep; it is not suitable for those with limited mobility or claustrophobia.
Check weather conditions before visiting, as the viewing platform is open-air and can be extremely windy.
Pair your visit with a walk through the surrounding Stourhead woodlands for a complete excursion.
Attempting the climb if you are sensitive to heights or cramped, enclosed spaces.
The tower is occasionally closed during periods of high wind or for maintenance; check the National Trust website before arrival.
Wear sturdy, sensible footwear for the steep, uneven stone spiral staircase.
