Some days in the New Forest - Day 4

Our last day, and a little time before heading home, so we decided to look up Sway Tower, which was not too far away from the Hotel.

Some interesting information I picked up about this edifice:

"Sway Tower, Grade II listed since 1975, was built by Andrew Thomas Turton Peterson on his private estate from 1879–1885.  Both its design and the use of concrete as a building material were influenced by the follies Peterson had seen during his time in India.  Peterson claimed to be guided by the spirit of Sir Christopher Wren in the building of the tower.  It is constructed entirely out of concrete made with Portland cement, with only the windows having iron supports.  At the time, it was the first major building in Britain to be built entirely from concrete, and it remains the tallest non-reinforced concrete structure in the world.
It was originally designed as a mausoleum, with a perpetual light at the top.  However, this was not allowed by Trinity House, as it was thought the light would confuse shipping.  It also served to publicise the superiority of Portland cement, even then not fully accepted.
The tower is visible from much of the New Forest, and most of the western Solent.  A smaller 15-metre (49 ft) folly (blip 2), was built as a 'prototype', and stands in a group of trees to the north of the taller tower."

Some more interesting facts to squirrel away!