New Brighton Tower was built between 1896 and 1900 at a cost of around £120,000. It was approximately 567 feet tall and was constructed of over 1,000 tons of steel. The architects were Maxwell and Tuke of Manchester. During construction of the tower, six workmen were killed. In the early twentieth century, the resort of New Brighton became a southern alternative to Blackpool and the New Brighton Tower was considerably taller than Blackpool Tower. It attracted around half a million visitors each year. Under the tower was an octagonal building housing a ball room and theatre. The 'Tower Ballroom' was one of the largest in the world and provided a sprung floor and band stage. It was decorated in white and gold and included a balcony to watch the dancers. Next to the ballroom was a billiard saloon and above it were a monkey house, aviary and shooting gallery. The theatre could accommodate 3,500 people and had the largest stage in the world measuring 45 feet wide and 72 feet deep.

The grounds around the tower provided numerous other facilities. The Tower Gardens, covering 35 acres, included a Japanese Cafe, Venetian Gondolas, Parisian Tea Garden and outdoor dancing platform. The 'Old English Fairground' provided a switchback railway, water chute, lion house and menagerie. There was also an athletic ground where the World Cycling Championship was held in 1922. The ground, which had a capacity of 80,000, was home to New Brighton Tower Football Club of League Division Two. Other attractions at the tower included a roller skating rink, shops and a bazaar. The tower was illuminated at night with around 30,000 fairy lights. During the First World War, it was neglected and fell into disrepair. It was dismantled between 1919 and 1921. In 1969, a fire destroyed the buildings below, including the ball room and theatre.

Period

Post-Medieval (1540 - 1901), Modern (1901 and later)

Period comments

Tower dismantled 1919-1921|1969 remaining buildings destroyed|Built 1896-1900

The earliest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1896|1969|1919

The latest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1900|1969|1921

Monument Type - Broad

ATHLETICS TRACK|FAIRGROUND RIDE|ZOO|OBSERVATION TOWER|PRIMATE HOUSE|AVIARY|GARDEN|SPORTS GROUND|FOOTBALL GROUND|ANIMAL HOUSE|BILLIARD HALL|VELODROME|CAFE|MARKET|BALLROOM|THEATRE|SHOP|AMUSEMENT PARK|SKATING RINK

Monument Type - Narrow

Monument Description

Evidence Type - Broad

Evidence Type - Narrow

Evidence Description

Object Type - Broad

Object Type - Narrow

Object Description

Other records:

NRHE Number

1458285

NT HBSMR Number

Unknown

HER Event Number

Unknown

External Link

None

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