GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Old John Tower surveys Bradgate Park from this high vantage point. The story is that there was once a windmill here; in 1786, to celebrate the coming of age of the 5th Earl of Stamford's son, a huge bonfire was built including a pole surrounded by logs and tar barrels. Unfortunately, the pole burnt through, toppling and killing Old John, the miller. In his memory, the Earl decreed that this tower should be built on the site of the mill. It is said that the buttress seen here gives the tower the appearance of a beer mug - which may have been a humourous reference to the old miller.