This 19th-century folly now stands in a decayed state amid the wreckage of the 1987 'hurricane':  huge beeches and pines lie across the paths of Saxonbury Wood.  But it is, as luck would have it, one of those romantic creations best seen from a distance.

The tower, on land owned by the Marquis of Abergavenny and built to mark the highest point of the estate, is inscribed with the date 1828, and the letters HA appear over the door under a coronet.

 

Inside, the tower is very dilapidated, and the spiral stone staircase starts about eight feet from ground level.  The Nevill family, the most powerful in England in the later Middle Ages, has been connected with Sussex since the 15th century, when Sir Edward Nevill married Lady Elizabeth Beauchamp.   She brought with her the Burgavenny title which was later changed to Abergavenny.

 

Access

On Saxonbury Hill in Eridge Park, eight miles north of Heathfield.  The tower, situated on private land, is best seen from the minor road which runs under Saxonbury Hill from the A267, north of Mark Cross towards Eridge Green

 

 

 

 

Top of Page       main page:  www.yeoldesussexpages.com