Clavell Tower
Set on the top of Hen Cliff to the east of the glimmering Kimmeridge Bay, Clavell Tower overlooks the coastline with a unique and impressive grandeur. No trip to Kimmeridge would be complete without admiring the tower from up close or in the distance.
Steeped in a rich and romantic history, this Grade II listed Tuscan style tower is one of the Isle of Purbeck’s most iconic landmarks.
Enjoying one of the best views of this spot on the Jurassic Coast, it’s easy to see why the writer Thomas Hardy found this to be the perfect setting to court his first love Eliza Nicholl here - even including a sketch of the tower in his collection of Wessex poems.
Whether you combine a walk past Clavell Tower with brunch or lunch at Clavells, or you manage to stay at the tower for your Dorset holiday, it’s a truly special landmark that you won’t want to miss.
Who designed and built Clavell Tower?
The architect of Clavell Tower was Robert Vining. He used a multitude of styles - from the Tuscan columns at the bottom of the tower to the French style parapets that sit at the top.
All of the materials used to build the tower were local and either quarried on the Smedmore Estate or from the bay itself.
What’s the history of the tower?
Also known as Clavell Folly, this is a Grade II listed Tuscan style tower. It is thought to have been built to mark the 70th birthday of John Clavell in 1830.
Although largely built as a summer house, the original tower had several fireplaces which showed it was intended for year round use as an observatory as well.
In the 19th century the tower was used by coastguards from the Napoleonic wars. However the coastguards left in 1914 and the tower quickly became derelict. Eye witness reports claimed that floorboards were rotten and it was almost impossible to reach the top of the tower from inside.
The tower then became at risk of falling into the sea due to coastal erosion and was only saved when The Landmark Trust agreed to step in and move it further inland - through a painstaking process.
Is the tower open to the public?
Although it is not open to the general public on a daily basis, you can rent Clavell Tower via the owners, The Landmark Trust.
Over 10 years ago, The Landmark Trust spent almost £1 million renovating it and restoring it - which involved moving it further inland to save it from coastal erosion. This process involved moving all 16,272 bricks individually.
The tower opened as a holiday let in August 2008. It has proved so popular that there are regularly waiting lists of over 18 months to stay there. Each time new dates are released, they are snapped up - so make sure you get organised if you want to visit!
What’s the tower like inside?
The tower is arranged over four floors and has one bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and dining area and a living room. There is a balcony on the bedroom which offers some of the best views of the Jurassic Coast. It’s dog friendly, and an ideal spot for walkers of the South West Coast Path (if you can get a reservation!).
Entrance to the tower is at semi basement level and you’ll start your journey up via a narrow staircase to reach the kitchen. Every attempt has been made to use all the space available and it’s a truly memorable place to cook your evening meal.
The bedroom is located up another staircase and features a wraparound balcony which runs around the entire building.
The tower is an incredible place to sit and watch through multiple windows as the sky and sea change with the time of the day and the seasons of the year.
Visiting Clavell Tower
Having inspired literary greats such as Thomas Hardy and PD James, let yourself and your loved ones soak up the history here and imagine everything that this incredible tower has witnessed.
Whether you’re walking the South West Path, visiting Clavells for coffee, lunch, dinner or drinks, or simply looking to explore the Isle of Purbeck, don’t miss out on a trip to see Clavell Tower.
