This place was built as a folly by a wealthy family c.1750. It was used as their summer house, the ground floor of the tower being a lockable room. At that time the hilltop was fairly smooth and this beautiful summer retreat was surrounded by pleasant lawned gardens commanding wonderful views across the plains of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
An awkward land ownership dispute followed and the tower fell into disrepair.
With the passage of time a new owner was found but there was a shock in store for the local villagers. The new owner planned to demolish the tower and quarry the valuable millstone grit on which it stood.
Bitter protests ensued, campaigns were launched and lawyers were employed.
But in the end the determined quarry man won the battle. His only concession was to leave the tower standing on a precarious outcrop of rock.
Today it is known as Mow Cop Castle and is in the care of 'The National Trust'.
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Seriously brooding impact. I'm waiting for the bolt of lightening to come down from the sky and magically bring the place back to life (probably full of evil beings). Looks heavily tonemapped but in this case I think that works.
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