MSO9432 - Conygar Tower, Dunster (Building)

[SS 9918 4410] Conygar Tower [NAT] [1] A hollow tower and other artificial ruins were built on Conygar Hill in about 1775. [2] Conygar Tower is a navigator's aid and prospect tower of two four-windowed storeys [2, 3] Conygar Tower, Grade II. Erected in 1775. Folly. (For full description see list.) [4] Built c.1760-70 as part of the 18th century improvements of Dunster Castle. [6] Conygar Tower lies on the southwest edge of a small hill immediately to the north of Dunster, at SS 9918 4410. The tower is circular, and 7.9 metres in diameter with walls of mortared local stone some 0.8 metres thick. It is hollow, ie there are no internal features, floors or roof. The top of the walls are crenallated. The tower has three sets of arched windows, which decrease in size as the tower ascends. The windows give a panoramic view of the surrounding country and sea. The tower was approached by a ruined gatehouse, some 500 metres to the northwest (MSO9477). [7] Conygar Tower was built around 1775. It was designed by Richard Phelps to enhance the landscape around Dunster Castle, which was then owned by H F Luttrell. It cost £76 11s 1/2d to build, £4 2s 6d in scrumpy for the workmen, and an entertainment when it was complete cost £2 5s. [8] Erected in 1775. Folly. Embattled circular random rubble red sandstone shell. Three storeys, four pointed-arched openings to each floor with two-stage buttresses between. Prominently sited on summit of wooded hill. Important landscape feature overlooking village. [9] English Heritage Listed Building Number: 264747. First Listed on 22 May 1969. [10] The tower is included in Dunster's Conservation Area. Its importance as a landscape feature overlooking the village was particularly noteworthy. [11] The building was visited in April 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 5A. [12] The Tithe Map for Dunster depicts the tower but positions it slightly to the northeast of its true position, at SS 9919 4416. [13] Conygar Tower is depicted and labelled on 2018 MasterMap data. [14] A collection of images of the site is held by the Historic England Archive. [15,16] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [17] The building is mentioned in the 2018 Conservation Area Appraisal for Dunster. [18] The tower was assessed as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor’s Listed Buildings 2018-19, receiving a BAR score of 5A. [19]