Rescued cliff top tower to reopen

The restored Grade II listed tower overlooks Kimmeridge Bay

A cliff top tower that inspired authors Thomas Hardy and PD James has reopened after it was moved and rebuilt brick by brick to stop it falling into the sea.

Clavell Tower, at the World Heritage site of Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, was metres from an eroding cliff ledge.

It took 18 months, at a cost of £898,000, to relocate the historic four-storey monument.

Its 16,272 stones were numbered, recorded and transferred to a new site 82ft (25m) further inland.

The Landmark Trust officially reopened the Grade II listed tower on Friday ready for people to visit on Sunday and Monday between 1000 BST and 1600 BST.

Peter Pearce, director at the trust, said: "This is an exciting day for the Landmark Trust and for Kimmeridge Bay.

"The tower's future is secure and it can now resume its role as sentinel on this stretch of coastline, its familiar silhouette will continue to welcome the many thousands of people."

The old Clavell Tower would have succumbed to coastal erosion

The monument was built by the Reverend John Richards Clavell, of Smedmore, in 1830 as an observatory and folly.

It was used by coastguards in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but fell into disuse, becoming derelict after it was damaged by fire in the 1930s.

Thomas Hardy used it in his Wessex Poems and it inspired PD James's novel, The Black Tower.

Electricity, water, a kitchen and bathroom have been installed and the tower will be used as a holiday let accommodating two people.

The project was funded by a lottery grant and donations.

Adrian Tinniswood, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund's South West committee, added: "The Clavell Tower defines the local landscape and coastline.

"We are proud to have helped to save this iconic building."