Grants Tower, Ramsbottom

Grants Tower
1783 - “William Grant tells us that on that memorable autumn evening, in 1783, when the family reached the spot where Grants Tower now stands, and his father exclaimed : " What a beautiful valley ! May God almighty bless it! It reminds me of Speyside, but the Irwell is not so large as the River Spey," Messrs. Peel and Yates were just beginning to build their print works at Ramsbottom.”
Taken from “The Story of the “Cheeryable” Grants. From the Spey to the Irwell”
by Rev W. Hume Elliot. 1906. Page 117.
1827 - “In 1818 we purchased Springside, and in 1827 we purchased the Park estate, and erected a monument to commemorate my father's first visit to this valley, and on the very spot where he and I stood admiring the beautiful scenery below. There is a fine view from the top of the tower in a clear day, and the Welsh mountains can be descried in the distance.”
Taken from “The Country and Church of the Cheeryable Brothers” by Rev W. Hume Elliot. 1893. Page 95.
1829 - Grants Tower was built by Christopher Garnett. It was 50 feet high, 800 feet above sea level, 4 flights of stairs, 84 individual steps and 8 turrets at the top (two of which were disguised chimneys for fireplaces below.)
In earlier years, the tower was a well visited site with a cafe as well as rides and swings for the children. It was as famous a landmark as Peel Tower on the opposite side of the valley.
Unfortunately it was left derelict for a number of years and it finally collapsed on 22nd September 1944.
In recent years the ground floor and surrounding area has been renovated by the owner, Mr Gary Buckley.
For more information on Ramsbottom and how to join the RHS: www.ramsbottomheritage.org.uk