designated as a Grade I listed building in 1961. Restoration work in 1986 included the use of a Wessex helicopter to lower a piece of masonry onto the top. The statue of King Alfred was also restored at this time, including the replacement of his missing right forearm. Architecture The triangular tower is over high with a girth of . Each of the three corners of the triangular structure has a round projection. The centre of the tower is hollow, and to stop birds from entering the space a mesh has been added at roof level. The viewing platform, which has a crenellated parapet and offers a view over the surrounding countryside, is reached by a 205-step spiral staircase at the corner furthest from the entrance. The brick tower has Chilmark stone dressings and is surmounted by an embattled parapet. The south-east face of the tower has a Gothic-arched entrance door, a statue of King Alfred, and a stone panel bearing an inscription (see below). This is the face that most visitors see first when walking from Stourhead garden or from the nearby car park. Inscription Around the Stourhead estate are several inscriptions. The one on the tower was drafted in 1762 and installed in 1772. The stone tablet above the door on the east face of the tower reads: ALFRED THE GREAT AD 879 on this Summit Erected his Standard Against Danish Invaders To him We owe The Origin of Juries The Establishment of a Militia The Creation of a Naval Force ALFRED The Light of a Benighted Age Was a Philosopher and a Christian The Father of his People The Founder of the English MONARCHY and LIBERTY In popular culture The tower is mentioned in Thomas Hardy's poem "Channel Firing" (written in April 1914) as a place "far inland". See also Scrabo Tower, County Down References External links Unofficial website, last updated in 2015, via Internet Archive Towers in Somerset Monuments and memorials in Somerset Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset National Trust properties in Somerset Tourist attractions in Somerset Folly towers in England Towers completed in 1772 Alfred the Great Observation towers in the United Kingdom Grade I listed towers Grade I listed monuments and memorials it:Stourhead#Alfred's Tower