Hoad Monument facts for kids
The Hoad Monument is a tall tower that stands proudly on top of Hoad Hill, near the town of Ulverston in north-west England. It's also known as the Sir John Barrow Monument. This impressive tower is about 100 feet (30.5 meters) high. It was built in 1850 to remember Sir John Barrow, who was born in Ulverston in 1764. People helped pay for the monument, which cost £1250 back then. Sir John Barrow was an important person who helped start the Royal Geographical Society. He also worked for the government, becoming the Second Secretary to the Admiralty.
Even though it looks like a lighthouse, the Hoad Monument has never had a working light. It was designed to look like the famous Third Eddystone Lighthouse. This monument is a special Grade II* building, which means it's very important. It's made from local limestone and stands out as a major landmark in Cumbria because of its high position. You can climb to the top of the hollow tower using a spiral staircase with 112 steps. From the top, eight windows give you amazing 360-degree views of the Furness Peninsula, Morecambe Bay, and the southern Lake District. These windows were open in the past but now have glass.
People sometimes just call the tower "Hoad" or even "the pepper pot." This nickname became famous during World War II. A radio broadcaster named Lord Haw-Haw once used it to warn the people of Ulverston that German planes might bomb their "pepper pot."
The Hoad Monument is usually open to visitors during the summer months. You'll know it's open if you see a flag flying outside. The Ulverston Towns Lands Trust owns both the monument and Hoad Hill.
Restoring the Monument
In 2009 and 2010, the Hoad Monument had a big restoration project. This work cost about £1.2 million. Most of the money came from a large grant of £891,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Friends of the Sir John Barrow Monument group also helped by getting other grants and donations.
The restoration work fixed many parts of the monument. They made sure it was watertight, so no rain could get in. The most noticeable change was adding a new copper roof. The old stone dome was taken apart and rebuilt before the new copper roof was put on.
The monument officially reopened on Sunday, August 22, 2010. This special day was celebrated with a big event at Ford Park, including a barn dance and a firework show.
Images for kids
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Panoramic View from Hoad hill over the Leven Estuary.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento de Hoad para niños
