Tower of Wind- Shugborough

The original Tower of the Winds in Athens was an octagonal tower featuring carvings in relief, each depicting the nature of the wind. At the top of the tower stood a bronze weathervane.

Shugborough’s version of the tower was completed in 1765 by James 'Athenian' Stuart. Eighteenth-century paintings suggest that the Shugborough tower also once featured copies of the original carvings and a weathervane, but today, no traces of these elements remain.

Originally, the tower was surrounded by water, located at the end of an ornamental lake and connected to the land by two bridges. The ground floor windows were inserted in 1803, when Samuel Wyatt converted the structure into an ornamental dairy for Lady Anson.

A long-standing rumour suggests that the 1st Earl of Lichfield used the tower as a gambling den.

Restoration Project

In late Autumn 2020, Phillips & Curry won the restoration project for the National Trust through a competitive tender process. The project involved:

• Restoring failed rendering using Roman cement

• Carefully conserving and restoring all sash windows

• Repainting the entire exterior with lime wash

• Lead roof repairs

Extensive historical research was carried out by the National Trust’s research team to ensure historically accurate colours for the walls and windows.

The restoration was successfully completed in early spring 2021, preserving this historic landmark for future generations.