Racton Monument
Near Funtington, West Sussex
Racton Monument lies
close to the village of Funtington in West Sussex, on the
Stansted Estate. It has on occasion been known as Stansted Castle
or Racton Tower, and is thought to have been completed in
1772.
Its original purpose is
uncertain, but it might have been intended as a summerhouse to
complement the main Stansted House, nearby. An alternative
possibility is that it was built by the then owner so that he
could see his trading ships berth at Emsworth, then a major port.
Either way, it perhaps qualifies today more as a curiosity
than a folly.
Around 1980 there was an attempt to turn the tower into a
dwelling but supposedly planning permission was refused.
Its isolated location has led to suggestions of it being used for
other purposes, with evidence of witchcraft reported as recently
as 2007.
The structure consists of a circular and slightly tapered tower
around 80 feet high, sitting on top of a broader, three-sided
building with smaller towers at the corners.
A bridle path runs alongside the Monument from the B2147
road.
