The original design by Thomas Harrison featured a central tower with four surrounding gateways, intended to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom.
The tower collapsed during a severe storm in 1862, leading to the current ruined appearance of the base.
Moel Famau, where the tower stands, sits at an elevation of 554 meters (1,818 feet) above sea level.
During clear weather, the summit offers visibility reaching as far as Blackpool Tower to the east and the mountains of Snowdonia to the west.
Jubilee Tower is a stone structure located at the summit of Moel Famau, the highest peak in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Originally commissioned in 1810 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of King George III, the structure was designed to be an Egyptian-style tower. The original design was never fully completed due to a lack of funds and subsequent structural instability caused by storm damage. Today, the ruins serve as a primary navigational landmark and viewpoint offering 360-degree vistas across North Wales and toward the peaks of Snowdonia. The site is managed by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB team, who maintain the surrounding moorland trails. Visitors reach the ruins via a network of well-defined gravel and paved paths ascending from the surrounding forest car parks. The site is a popular intersection point for the Offa’s Dyke National Trail.
The view looking west from the base of the tower towards the main peaks of the Snowdonia National Park.
Carry multiple layers of clothing, as the summit is consistently colder and windier than the base.
Download offline topographical maps, as mobile phone signals can be intermittent on the higher moorland slopes.
Plan for muddy sections on the trails, especially after heavy rainfall.
Attempting to climb or scramble on the loose stone masonry of the ruins, which is structurally unsound.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles by carrying out all litter and staying on marked trails to protect sensitive peatland habitats.
