Sway Tower Leaflet map

1

The Tower, more properly known as Peterson's Tower, was built between 1879 and 1885. The style and method of construction was influenced by buildings he had seen in India. It is a unique example of early mass concrete construction using Portland Cement with local sand and seashore aggregate, the culmination of a vast series of experiments. The whole tower was built without scaffolding using a climbing shutter system. With the exception of the staircase and cornices which were made in moulds, the building was constructed using un-reinforced concrete. Each floor is supported on a framework of iron joists built into the walls. It was reputedly the tallest concrete structure in the world at the time of its construction. The original idea was that it should be a mausoleum with a perpetual light in the lantern at the top but it was felt that the light would confuse shipping and was not allowed.

2

The plain concrete walls and rendered walls and gate posts give the area a distinctive feel. They provide a contrast with the hedges and the brick wall at the junction of Barrows Lane and Flexford Lane which is the boundary of the original Drumduan farmyard.

© Crown Copyright 4/97

Concrete wall

3

The piggeries at Towers Farm – listed Grade II – although just outside the boundary of the conservation area, are an extremely important part of the group of Peterson buildings. This model pig farm was built about 1880 using the same methods as for the Tower. The rows of single storey buildings are 2 bays wide with a moulded cornice along the sides that rises up the vault of the roof.

4

Changing the style of windows in a facade may alter the character of a building significantly. The reflective qualities of a window are altered by replacing 19th century glass which has ripples and flaws, with modern plate glass which is very standardised and shiny. The windows of Hazelhurst have very fine glass. Compare the look of the windows of Hollywood with those of Hollywood Cottage.

Key to Map

• □ Listed Buildings
• Peterson's Tower
• 3 The Piggeries

Ordnance Survey map of 1909

Scale in Metres

• Drumduan Farm
• The trial tower
• Gate post at South Lodge
• Tower at Arnewood Court