Bridgewater Monument
| The Bridgewater Monument | |
|
Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
 The Bridgewater Monument | |
| Type: | Monumental tower |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP97011312 |
| Location: | 51°48’30"N, -0°35’39"W |
| History | |
| Built 1832 | |
| For: | John William Egerton, 7th Earl of Bridgewater by Sir Jeffry Wyattville |
| Monumental tower | |
| Doric Classical | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | National Trust |
The Bridgewater Monument is a tower 108 feet tall standing at the summit of a hill on the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire (but within yards of the Buckinghamshire border). It was built in 1832 by John William Egerton, 7th Earl of Bridgewater as a memorial to his cousin, the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (1736–1803), from whom he inherited the estate.
The Duke of Bridgewater is known to history as "the Canal Duke" and "the father of inland navigation" for his work creating industrial canals to carry the produce of the mills on his estates.[1] He also began the work on Ashridge House by demolishing the preceeding buildings, though it was for his heir to build the new house.
The tower is a Grade II* listed structure.[2] It is in the form of a Doric-order pillar 108 feet high and stands at the end of a straight-cut vista running almost two miles from Ashridge House. The architect was Sir Jeffry Wyattville.
The monument has an internal staircase with 172 steps, to reach a viewing platform at the top. It overlooks the village of Aldbury and the Grand Union Canal.
Local legend says that the monument was built so far from the house as the late Duke's mother wanted "not to see or be reminded of my infernal son".[3]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bridgewater Monument) |
- The Ashridge Estate – The National Trust
References
- ↑ Duke of Bridgewater Monument at Ashridge Estate
- ↑ National Heritage List 10212679: Grade II*
- ↑ Birtchnell P.: 'A History of Berkhamsted' (Clunberry Press, 1972)