Brizlee Tower

Brizlee Tower is a Gothick folly tower standing on a rocky hilltop overlooking Hulne Park and Hulne Priory near Alnwick, Northumberland. A Grade 1 listed building of the highest cultural and architectural value, it was designed by the famous Scottish architect, Robert Adam in 1777 for the First Duke of Northumberland, it was one of several buildings in the Alnwick Parks commemorating his wife, Elizabeth Seymour, through whom he had inherited his title in 1750; others include Hulne Priory, in the valley below, Heifferlaw Tower and Ratcheugh Observatory at the eastern edge of the Alnwick parklands. Standing c.26m (87') high, Brizlee provides an impressive viewpoint for the important Lancelot 'Capability' Brown designed landscape of Hulne Park and a large part of North Northumberland. The tower had severe problems of water penetration and rusting ironwork which left the slender stone balustrades unsafe and it was on the Buildings at Risk register when Robin Kent Architecture & Conservation were asked to advise on repairs.

After carrying out archival research and a condition report, the consultancy brought together and coordinated a range of specialists to inform a detailed programme of conservation, and provided the professional lead for the English Heritage grant aided project to repair the tower and make it accessible to visitors. The works included totally dismantling and rebuilding the surrounding arcade and balcony railings at both levels, repairing the cast iron brazier at the top of the tower, providing new windows, waterproofing and rainwater drainage provisions, handrails and lightning conductors, repointing and specialist stone cleaning and conservation. Visitors can once again enjoy both the tower and the superb viewpoint it provides of the designed landscape.