Mount Batten Tower lights up

Plymouth’s Mount Batten Tower is going to be lit up for the first time as part of Bonfire Night celebrations.

As the sky above Plymouth Sound is ignited by fireworks, the tower will be illuminated as part of the Council’s popular scheme to put its historic monuments in the spotlight.

A set of 16 LED lights will light up the walls of the 17th Century tower which stands on a knoll at Mount Batten looking across to the Citadel. The system has been designed so that the tower’s lights can synchronise with lights that shine on the Smeaton’s Tower on the Hoe.

Councillor Tudor Evans, leader of the Council said: “This should be a lovely sight for the thousands of people who enjoy our bonfire night celebrations on the Hoe.

“Our waterfront is a substantial attraction in the evening and at night, with cafes and restaurants overlooking the sea enjoying a scene that most cities envy – what a great way to honour our history by lighting this landmark up at night.

”This is part of our adminstration’s pledge to light up landmarks so that they can be enjoyed day and night and help increase a sense of pride in our history and our city.”

The Council’s ongoing project to light up its landmarks has been incredibly popular. The world-famous Smeaton’s Tower was lit up in March and Charles Church, the city’s memorial to those who died in the Blitz followed in May.

The historic tower is a scheduled monument and takes its name from Captain William Batten, a commander in Cromwell’s Parliamentarian navy.

The tower was built during the Commonwealth period (1649 to 1659) and held up to 10 guns on the upper floor to provide protection to the Eastern side of the Plymouth estuary as well as to defend the entrance to Cattewater and Sutton Harbour.

The Council had to apply for listed building consent from Historic England to have LED lights installed around the tower costing £44,000

Meanwhile, over on the Barbican, lights are also being installed to show off one of Plymouth’s most important monuments – the Mayflower Steps.

A separate ceremony is planned as part of the wider Illuminate celebrations which will take place later in November.