A Chance to Climb the Tower of Spite - Wainhouse Tower
9 Wakefield Gate, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0HB
Wainhouse Tower was built in the 1870's by local businessman John Edward Wainhouse to serve his dyeworks in the valley below. It is an elegant Tower, mounted on a square base and tapering to an octagonal column rising high into the sky. Wainhouse always intended his chimney to host a platform from which visitors could take in stunning views of the surrounding neighbourhood and he wanted it to be an elegant thing of beauty for a town blighted by smokestacks and dark, satanic mills. The sheer size and width of the 253 foot column would create enough draw to vent smoke high into the atmosphere. Wainhouse was a principled man, kind and generous to his friends, but he was also difficult, stubborn, and slow to forgive. His role as a township surveyor brought him into conflict with local landowner Sir Henry Edwards, bart. Edwards was regarded as a proud, hard man who wielded his considerable political influence to get what he wanted. The two men clashed over multiple issues and the feud became so public and so bitter that it is still remembered to this day. It drew in more people, derailed public meetings and often carried on into the courts. Wainhouse abandoned his idea of using the chimney to serve his dyeworks, but completed the observatory platform and added a beautiful gothic cupola. Many of Edward's supporters believed Wainhouse built the Tower to spy on Sir Henry, and though this is not true, the elegant chimney was regarded as a folly, and known by some as the Tower of Spite
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 07 September:
- 10:00-16:00
Location & directions
9 Wakefield Gate, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0HB
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Tickets available through Eventbrite. Capacity is limited to 25 persons on the viewing balcony and where possible passing on the stairs is to be avoided. There is no admission outside of the advertised time slots. Visitors are requested to arrive on time for the ascent and to vacate the Tower promptly when requested to permit other attendees to climb. Late comers may forfeit admission or be required to wait until capacity allows for an ascent. Volunteers and staff may exercise their discretion.
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/visit-calderdale-29603793049
- Alternative booking website:
- https://www.visitcalderdale.com/
- Booking opens:
- 27 Aug 2024 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 06 Sep 2024 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Wainhouse Tower is not accessible to either the bottom or top of the Tower. There is no on site parking or toilet/baby change facilities. The 369 steps to the top are inside the Tower, and are circular, so please wear suitable footwear. Please be aware of the physical requirements of climbing the steps to the top of Wainhouse Tower, particularly if you have any health conditions. There may be low-level lighting in places on the stairs and there is no handrail inside the Tower. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, and young children must supervised at all times. Please park respectfully.
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 25
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
