Sir Tatton Sykes Memorial Tower

Sir Tatton Sykes Memorial Tower is a Gothic Revival landmark crowning Garton Hill above the village of Garton on the Wolds, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Rising from the open chalk upland of the Yorkshire Wolds, it can be spotted from a long way off and has served as a navigation point for locals and travellers since the 1860s.

Who is the tower for?

The monument honours Sir Tatton Sykes, 4th Baronet of Sledmere, who died in March 1863. He was a major landowner whose family seat lay a short distance away at Sledmere. After his death a committee gathered voluntary subscriptions, and the tower was built for his son and namesake, the 5th Baronet. The foundation stone went down on 17 May 1865, and a plaque on the structure carries the same year.

What does it look like?

The architect was J. Gibbs of Oxford. The tower stands roughly 120 feet (about 36 metres) tall, with a nearly square plan, three stages and a profile that tapers into a spire. Its polychrome stonework gives it a striking, patterned face. A sculpted relief shows Sir Tatton on horseback, and an inscription remembers him as a friend and landlord to his tenants. The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner remarked that its Gothic was of a kind no genuine medieval tower would have had, which is exactly the appeal for lovers of Victorian follies.

What is its heritage status?

The tower is on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1346480) as a Grade II listed building. It was listed on 20 September 1966 and the entry was last amended in 1987. Older records call it The Sykes Monument.

How do you get there and what else is nearby?

The tower stands beside the B1252 road at the northern edge of Garton on the Wolds parish, with a caretaker's cottage built opposite. It is a monument to admire from outside, so a short stop is enough. By car, the easiest approach is from Driffield or from the direction of Sledmere. Close by, the village church of St Michael and All Angels is Grade I listed and known for its richly painted interior. The surrounding countryside also suits walkers on the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

When should you visit?

Choose a clear day, when the hilltop offers wide views over the rolling Wolds and the light brings out the colours of the facade. Spring and summer give longer daylight for exploring the area, while winter weather can make the B1252 less pleasant to drive.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Sir Tatton Sykes Memorial Tower? J. Gibbs of Oxford designed it. It was paid for by subscription and commissioned by the 5th Baronet in memory of his father.

How tall is it? About 120 feet, or roughly 36 metres, tapering to a spire.

Is it a listed building? Yes. It is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England, since 1966.

Is it the same as the Eleanor Cross at Sledmere? No. The Eleanor Cross is a separate monument in Sledmere with its own history.