Pepper Pot

The Pepper Pot in Brighton is a Grade II listed garden tower dating from 1830, standing in Queen's Park on the eastern side of the city (East Sussex, England). It belongs to Brighton and Hove City Council and can be admired from outside only.

What is the Pepper Pot?

The nickname comes from the slim shape, which recalls a pepper shaker. The base of the tower is octagonal, while the upper stages are round. It was designed by Charles Barry, the architect later known for the Houses of Parliament, for Thomas Attree, a Brighton solicitor and property developer who owned the land.

The tower originally stood in the grounds of Attree's grand villa. The house was pulled down, and the Pepper Pot remained as one of the few traces of the estate. Historic England listed it on 13 October 1952.

What was it built for?

Nobody agrees on its first purpose. One account says it held a tank and pump supplying water to the villa, and the tower does sit over an old well. An architectural journal from 1834 describes a steam engine and an observatory instead.

Over the years the building took on many roles. It was a printing works where the Brighton Daily Mail was produced, a lookout post during the Second World War, a scout headquarters, an artist's studio and a public toilet. Today it is sealed and unused. The council carried out restoration work in 2011.

How do you get there?

The tower is inside Queen's Park, in the neighbourhood of the same name just east of central Brighton, at roughly 50.8273 N, 0.1248 W. The park is open to walkers and has no entry charge.

What will you see?

You cannot go inside, so the visit is about the exterior: the octagonal base turning into a circular upper tower, and the survival of a garden folly whose villa has vanished. A lamp post beside the tower has its own listing as well. Combine the stop with a stroll through the park.

When should you visit?

The tower is visible from outside at any time, but daylight gives the best view and photos.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside the Pepper Pot? No. The tower is closed and not in use, so you see it from the outside.

Who designed it? Charles Barry, in 1830, for Thomas Attree.

Is the Pepper Pot a listed building? Yes, it has been Grade II listed since 13 October 1952.

Is there an admission fee for Queen's Park? No, it is a public city park.