Great Tower of Hoole

From Chester Wiki

This fascinating architectural feature is reputed to be built on the site known to have existed in the pre-Palaeolithic and suggestions have been made that this may have consisted of a hengiform monument, possibly including a mammoth tusk (evidence exists only in the form of elephant bells) embedded in a retreating glacial moraine by Homo Habilis (or a descendant) during a post-Hoxnian Interglacial.

The lower portion of the tower is built in brick, while the upper parts are half-timbered and constructed using traditional methods that involved the utterance of many curses. The structure is listed (slightly) but in no danger of falling down.

The wood-panelled lower floor of the structure houses a library and a collection of Mediterranean ephemera. The middle level (reached by a separate staircase) houses an extensive collection of footwear and features a priest hole, while the upper floor, reached by a hand-crafted spiral staircase, provides access to the clock which surmounts the structure and is home to the mysterious "locked door".

The upper floors of the tower are lit by seven stained-glass windows depicting the "seven deadly sins" (Lust, Gluttony, Sloth and Wrath on the middle floor, Avarice, Envy and Pride on the upper floor). The seven windows are each decorated with astrological motifs appropriate to the planetary symbolism of the sins and feature associations with the punishments expected to be delivered upon the sinners. Notably, the window depicting "Sloth" is unfinished, as the artist "couldn't be bothered".

The clock at the top of the tower is specially designed to be absolutely accurate twice a day. The weathercock, which surmounted the tower, flew away in a storm in 2002.