After a bit of a hiatus, tours of the roughly 400-year old Canonbury Tower are to resume.
The Clerkenwell & Islington Guides recently announced that they have secured permission to restart the tours, although they can only take place a couple of times a month, and only then if the current occupant isn’t, well, occupying it.
The manor house of Canonbury was constructed by William Bolton of St Bartholomew’s Priory between 1509 and 1532. At the dissolution it was granted to Thomas Cromwell.
In the 1580s the manor house was rebuilt by Sir John Spencer, Lord Mayor of the City of London, including the construction of its tower, with another storey on top added later.
Apart from the 16th century interior, the reason the tower was constructed, was so that the owner could enjoy the views from the roof.
Over the centuries, the tower has also been occupied by many historical figures, including Francis Bacon and Oliver Goldsmith.
The tours take about 90 minutes, cost £15, and can be booked here.
