Obelisk At Umberslade Park

Obelisk At Umberslade Park is an 18th-century stone obelisk in the Warwickshire parish of Tanworth-in-Arden, within the Stratford-on-Avon district. A Grade II listed monument, it belongs to the family of English landscape follies, structures built to be looked at rather than used.

What is the Umberslade Obelisk and who built it?

It dates from 1749 and was commissioned by Thomas Archer, 1st Baron Archer, owner of nearby Umberslade Hall. The mason-builder was William Hiorne of Warwick. The listing describes it as an eye-catcher, a landmark placed to punctuate the view from the house. The hall itself holds a separate, higher Grade II* listing.

What does it look like?

The shaft is square in section and rises about 21 metres (roughly 70 ft). It is built of limestone ashlar on a stepped plinth with a moulded cornice, and a ball finial with a metal spike crowns the top. The spike once carried a star, which survives only in old photographs. Together with neighbouring Obelisk Farmhouse, the monument forms a listed group.

Why was it built?

No record gives a reason. The theory most often repeated links it to Archer's elevation to the peerage in 1747. Others point to an interest in astronomy, hinted at by the star, or to political events of the period.

How do you get there, and what should you know about access?

The obelisk stands on the old Umberslade estate, now cut off from the park by the M40 motorway. The surrounding land is private and includes a working farm, so walking right up to the monument may not be possible. The sensible approach is to view it from public roads and legal rights of way, and to check current access before you set out. Do not enter fields without the landowner's permission. The nearest villages are Hockley Heath and Tanworth-in-Arden, and Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham are both a short drive away.

When is the best time to visit?

Pale limestone shows best in low morning or evening light against green fields. Spring and summer give the clearest views, since autumn foliage and field crops can partly hide the base. A stop here takes little time, so it pairs well with other Warwickshire sights such as castles and Arden villages.

Frequently asked questions

Is the obelisk a protected monument? Yes. Historic England listed it at Grade II in 1967 under list entry 1382419.

How tall is it? About 21 metres, or around 70 feet.

Can you walk up to it? The land nearby is private and includes a farm, so access can be limited. View it from public roads and check current access first.

Why was it built? It was designed to adorn the view from Umberslade Hall. The exact motive is undocumented, and the most popular theory ties it to Archer receiving his title in 1747.