Peel Tower Conditions Project, Bury
15.06.2026
More than 120 local children, families and community members gathered at Peel Tower on Sunday for the This Place Speaks Sharing Event.
Over recent months, pupils from Greenmount, Summerseat, Hazlehurst and Woodbank Primary Schools have explored the heritage, landscape and stories of the area through creative writing workshops. Inspired by Peel Tower, Holcombe Hill and the surrounding countryside, the children produced an impressive collection of imaginative stories, thoughtful reflections and poems rooted in the places that matter to them.
Sunday’s Sharing Event provided an opportunity for those young voices to return to the landscape that inspired them, with children reading and sharing their work in the shadow of Peel Tower, surrounded by family members, friends and visitors.
It was wonderful to see so many people make the climb to the summit to support the children and celebrate their achievements.
We would like to thank all of the children who took part in the project, the families who supported them, the schools who embraced the opportunity, everyone who joined us for the event, and Rob Dart, whose vision and passion brought This Place Speaks to life.
Special thanks also go to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting the project and helping to make this celebration possible.
The event was a wonderful way to bring the project to a close, celebrating local heritage through creativity, imagination and young voices 🌳
11.06.2026
The new heritage and ecology interpretation panels are being installed at Peel Tower, giving visitors an exciting new way to discover the history, wildlife and landscape that make this iconic landmark so special.
The artwork was created by Amy Callaghan from Pigs in Mud Art Studios and was inspired by creative workshops with pupils from Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School. Through the sessions, the children explored the history of Sir Robert Peel, the surrounding moorland, and the wildlife that calls Holcombe Hill home, sharing their ideas, artwork and imagination to help shape the final designs.
The beautifully illustrated panels celebrate both the rich heritage of Peel Tower and the importance of the surrounding natural environment, helping visitors of all ages connect with the stories, people and wildlife that have shaped this remarkable place.
A huge thank you to Amy for creating such inspiring artwork, and to all of the wonderful pupils at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School whose creativity helped bring the panels to life. We hope everyone visiting Peel Tower enjoys discovering them.
10.06.2006
A huge thank you to Greenmount Village Community group for producing a wonderful heritage leaflet to accompany the recent guided walk to Peel Tower.
The leaflet brings together the rich history of the Tower, Sir Robert Peel and Holcombe Hill, helping visitors discover why this much-loved landmark continues to hold such an important place in the area’s heritage.
Among its highlights, the leaflet explores why Peel Tower was built in 1852 as a memorial to Sir Robert Peel and explains its remarkable construction and commanding views across the surrounding landscape; traces the Tower’s history through the twentieth century, including its use during the Second World War, periods of closure and reopening, and the many restoration efforts that have helped safeguard it; celebrates the Tower’s role as a focal point for community life, featuring memorable events such as Millennium celebrations, the Centenary of Scouting, the West Pennine Way opening and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee; provides an introduction to Sir Robert Peel’s life and achievements, including his role in founding the Metropolitan Police and championing major political reforms and highlights the wider heritage of Holcombe Village and the people connected with the Tower, including local benefactor Joshua Knowles; and
The walk last week offered a fantastic opportunity for local people to explore the history, landscape and stories surrounding Peel Tower, and we’re grateful to Christine Taylor and everyone at Greenmount Village Community for their enthusiasm, research and continued support for this special place! 🌳
08.06.2026
On Friday, Greenmount Village Walking Group organised a fantastic guided heritage walk to Peel Tower, bringing together nearly 60 people to explore and celebrate this iconic local landmark.
Participants enjoyed fascinating talks from local historians John Ireland and Christine Taylor, who shared insights into the history and heritage of Peel Tower and the surrounding landscape. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, and the event was made possible by a dedicated team of volunteer walk leaders who generously give up their time each week to support the group and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors.
As part of the project, a virtual tour video has also been created to help those who may be unable to visit the tower in person due to distance, mobility issues or ill health. The video offers a unique opportunity to explore Peel Tower and discover more about its history from wherever you are.
Watch the Peel Tower virtual tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1-NmhJJk6w
A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the walk such a success 🌳
02.06.2026
Don’t Miss Friday’s Guided Walk to Peel Tower!
Join us this Friday evening (5th June) for a special guided walk to Peel Tower, one of the area’s best-loved landmarks.
Starting at 6pm from Lumb Carr car park (BL8 4NN), this enjoyable 2.5-mile circular walk will take in Holcombe Village and Tagg Wood, with the added bonus of an opportunity to visit inside Peel Tower.
You’ll also hear a short talk from local historian John Ireland, who will share fascinating insights into the tower and its history.
It’s a perfect chance to enjoy some fresh air, stunning views and good company on a summer evening.
Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended. Please note that dogs are not permitted.
All are welcome.
For further details visit:
Greenmount Walking Group
27.05.2026
Join us for a guided evening walk to Peel Tower on Friday 5th June, meeting at Lumb Carr car park (BL8 4NN) at 6pm. The event includes a visit inside the tower and a short talk by local historian John Ireland.
The circular 2.5-mile walk will also take in Holcombe Village and Tagg Wood. Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended. Please note that dogs are not permitted.
Everyone is welcome.
For more information, visit:
Greenmount Walking Group
26.05.2026
Sit back and enjoy a virtual journey to Peel Tower
This beautifully filmed journey takes viewers from the paths of Holcombe Hill to the breathtaking views surrounding one of our area’s most iconic landmarks — with the added opportunity to step inside the tower itself.
Perfect for anyone who struggles to access the tower, or people who love local history, walking routes and Lancashire landscapes.
🎥 Filmed by Christians Ltd, with narration and script by local resident Rob Dart.
19.05.2026
Take a virtual journey to Peel Tower and experience one of our region’s most iconic landmarks from wherever you are!
From the climb up Holcombe Hill to the views across the surrounding countryside, the film captures the atmosphere, scenery and nature that make this landmark so special. Viewers can also explore inside the tower and enjoy the stunning surroundings from home, helping make this famous monument more accessible for all.
Filmed by Christians Ltd, with narration and script by local resident Rob Dart 🌳
18.05.2026
Today, the amazing team at The Sunnywood Project completed their final project walk for us. They were joined by pupils from 6 different primary schools for a challenging but enjoyable 3.1-mile walk across Holcombe Moor. They learned more about the landscape and heritage of the area before climbing to the very top of the iconic Peel Tower to take in the spectacular views.
A huge well done to all the pupils who took part and embraced the challenge! 🌳
14.05.2026
Join Us for a Guided Walk to Peel Tower on Friday 5th June – 6:00pm 🌳No booking required — just come along 🌳
Come along for a friendly evening guided walk exploring the beautiful Holcombe area and supporting the project to renovate historic Peel Tower. The walk will include:
- A guided 2.5 mile circular route
- A visit inside Peel Tower
- A short talk by local historian John Ireland
- Scenic views through Holcombe Village and Tagg Wood
The group will meet at Lumb Carr Car Park, BL8 4NN. Please arrive for a 6:00pm start. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy walking boots or shoes. Sorry, no dogs on this walk.
This community walk is open to all and is a great opportunity to learn more about the heritage of Peel Tower while enjoying the local countryside together.
For more information, visit:
Greenmount Walking Group
07.05.2026
An evening hike organised by The Sunnywood Project across Holcombe Moor 🌳🌇
The 4-mile guided route took participants past local landmarks including Pilgrim’s Cross and Peel Tower, offering a unique opportunity to experience the moorland landscape as daylight faded and the colours of the evening sky changed overhead.
The walk encouraged people to slow down and appreciate the beauty, tranquillity and heritage of the moorland in a completely different setting, while also promoting wellbeing, outdoor activity and a greater connection with the local environment. Thank you to everyone who joined the adventure and helped make it such a special evening on the moors!
27.04.2026
Remember, you can still have your say on the future of Peel Tower!
Buttress are asking local residents and visitors to share their views on how the monument and surrounding area could be improved and enjoyed in the years ahead.
Whether your priorities are protecting its heritage, improving access, enhancing how the site is used, or exploring new opportunities, every response will help inform future plans.
The survey closes on 30 April, so don’t miss the opportunity to take part.
You can complete the online survey here: Buttress Peel Tower Survey
21.04.2026
Just a reminder that Buttress are inviting local residents and visitors to share their views on the future of Peel Tower. They are keen to hear your ideas, suggestions, and priorities for how the monument and surrounding area could be enhanced.
This is the beginning of an important conversation, and everyone is encouraged to take part. Whether your thoughts focus on protecting heritage, improving accessibility and current use, or exploring new opportunities for the site, your feedback will help guide future discussions.
Responses will highlight what is most important to the community and help shape future plans for Peel Tower.
You can complete the online survey here: Buttress Peel Tower Survey
The survey will remain open until 30 April.
(Picture above was shared with us by the fantastic team at Orb Rope Access)
16.04.2026
A huge thank you to Courtnay Ives from Buttress for leading last night’s community meeting and sharing insights into the specialist heritage work currently being carried out at Peel Tower. Thank you also to everyone who came along, took part, and shared their interest in the future of this much-loved landmark.
Following the meeting, there is now an opportunity for even more people to get involved!
Buttress are seeking your views on the future of Peel Tower and would like to hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how the monument and surrounding area could be improved.
This is the start of an important conversation, and everyone is welcome to share their views. Whether your feedback is about conserving heritage, improving access and current use, or exploring new possibilities for the site, your comments will help shape future thinking.
Your responses will help identify what matters most to the community and will inform future plans for Peel Tower.
You can complete the online survey here: Buttress Peel Tower Survey
The survey will remain open until 30th April, after which all responses will be reviewed and collated.
15.04.2026
A glimpse of some of the artwork being created by Amy Callaghan from Pigs in Mid Art Studios . These beautiful drawings will form part of the new site interpretation and leaflets at Peel Tower.
14.04.2026
A reminder that Greenmount Village Community are holding a public meeting tomorrow evening (Wednesday 15 April) at 7pm at Greenmount UR Church to talk about the surveying works at Peel Tower.
The session will include a presentation from Courtnay Ives, Senior Architect at Buttress. She will share updates on the survey work currently taking place at Peel Tower and answer questions about the monument, along with other heritage projects she has worked on.
Everyone is welcome, so please come along if you’d like to find out more. We hope to see you there!
And a reminder that, as with so many other Peel activities, this community sessions has been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund who are supporting this project – so lucky to have their support! 🌳
(And here’s another stunning photograph of Peel Tower that has been kindly shared with us by John Ealing from the Holcombe Society 🙂)
09.04.2026
Just a reminder that you can come along to a community meeting on Wednesday 15 April at 7pm at Greenmount UR Church to hear the latest on Peel Tower.
Senior Architect Courtnay Ives (Buttress) will present findings from ongoing survey work and answer your questions about the restoration.
Open to everyone—no booking required.
And here’s another gorgeous photograph of the tower that has been kindly shared with us by John Ealing from the Holcombe Society ☀️
27.03.2026
Yesterday, pupils at Woodhey High School had the opportunity to learn more about architecture and heritage as part of the Peel Tower project.
Courtnay Ives, a Senior Conservation Architect from Buttress Architects, visited the school to speak with pupils about the role of architects and the wide range of work they are involved in.
The session covered heritage buildings and the importance of protecting historic structures, as well as the skills and creativity required in the profession and the different pathways into a career in architecture.
Pupils were also introduced to the collaborative nature of the role, learning how architects work alongside other specialists on projects such as Peel Tower.
Using Peel Tower as a real-life case study made the session particularly meaningful, as many pupils are familiar with the landmark and can see it from their school.
A huge thank you to the students at Woodhey High School for being so fantastic, to Courtnay for leading the session, and to the generous team at The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making days like this possible!
25.03.2026
As you may have seen in the latest copy of the Greenmount Voice, Greenmount Village Community will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday 15 April at 7pm at Greenmount UR Church to discuss the planned surveying and restoration work at Peel Tower.
The presentation will be delivered by Courtnay Ives, Senior Architect at Buttress – a leading design studio specialising in architecture, heritage consultancy and conservation. Courtnay will share insights from the survey work currently underway at Peel Tower and will be happy to answer questions about the monument, as well as other heritage projects she has been involved in.
All are welcome to attend, hope to see you there!
24.03.2026
A big thank you to the Greenmount Village Community team for featuring another update on the Peel Tower Conditions Survey project in the latest edition of The Greenmount Voice. The leaflet is delivered to local homes and helps keep residents informed about recent activities in the area, as well as upcoming events. To have a read, and find out more, click here: Greenmount Village Community
16.03.2026
Take a moment to enjoy these beautiful images of Peel Tower. These photographs have been kindly shared with us by John Ealing from the Holcombe Society ☀️
We have more pictures from John, which we’ll continue to share as the project progresses. The group will also be leading a local heritage walk for us. We’ll let you have the date and details soon!
10.03.2026
The third school hike over Holcombe Moor took place last week. It was a challenging but fun 2.5 mile adventure climbing big hills, crossing brooks, hearing voices echo in the valley, admiring the incredible views, and learning about the moor and iconic tower. Thank you to the 7 primary schools who took part, the 28 students who made the trip, the walk leaders from the Sunnywood Project, and also to the generous team at The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making days like this possible!
19.02.2006
We recently came across an old leaflet ‘Peel Tower A Monument and It’s Inspiration’ produced by Bury Council.
In the leaflet, they have included an old image of the tower, as seen from Helmshore Road. The area is a little busier with cars and school children today, but the view remains remarkably similar. How lovely that the area hasn’t changed too much! 🌳
12.02.2026
This morning, the amazing Sunnywood Project team took a group of year 6 children from St. Michael’s RC Primary School for a hike over Holcombe Moor. The group learned all about the designated Site of Special Interest, the wildlife that lives there, and the amazing restoration project which aims to reduce carbon, improve habitats for wildlife, and protect local communities from flooding.
It was a challenging 2.5 mile route, which included a stop at the iconic Peel Tower for hot chocolate and biscuits.
Thank you to everyone involved – the walk leaders, the students for being so fantastic, and the amazing team at The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting us!
04.02.2026
Another gorgeous video captured by Christians during their survey work.
Take a look at the spectacular early morning views from above the tower: Peel Tower Morning Views
29.01.2026
Here’s one of the drone videos captured by Christians during their survey work: Peel Video
It takes us from the pathway on the side of Holcombe Hill, right to the sky above the tower. It’s a gorgeous view of the monument, and it’s surroundings. Ideal viewing for anyone who hasn’t managed to take the walk up the tower in person.
Also, if you check the bottom left of the clip at about 1 minute in, you can see several deer wandering up the side of the hill towards the tower. Stunning!
27.01.2026
Surveyors from Buttress and Christians have been busy surveying Peel Tower in recent months. During their work, they’ve managed to capture some amazing pictures of the tower – and we thought we’d share a couple of them with you here. The survey team have also captured some amazing drone footage showing the spectacular views from the top of Holcombe Hill. We’ll share these with you too once we have them ☀️🌳🎥
11.01.2026
A selection of news article below about the reopening of Peel Tower in November 1985. The tower was closed in 1947 because of the unsafe iron staircase. A new concrete stairway was installed, and over 500 people turned up in the cold to see the tower open again, and climb to the top!
05.01.2026
A glimpse of some of the artwork created during the second workshop run by Amy Callaghan from Pigs in Mid Art Studios . This time Amy joined the children at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School for a Holcombe Moor wildlife themed session.
Such a talented group! 🐇🐸🦅🦔
These amazing education sessions have been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund who are supporting this project – thank you NLHF! 🌳
15.12. 2025
Reading about Peel Tower today, we discovered that the tower only cost £1,000 to build in 1852. The monies were all raised from public appeal, and the stone used to build the tower was quarried from the hill itself – with the permission of the landowner.
A great price for such an iconic monument!
06.12.2025
Earlier this week artist Amy Callaghan from Pigs in Mid Art Studios joined the children at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School for some Roberts Peel themed art workshops. The children coloured in Victorian coins, found out how much Peel’s workers would have had to spend on bread, and found out more about the Corn Laws – and Peel’s role in this.
They also made finder puppets of themselves as police and discussed the creation of the Metropolitan Police Force. They even shared ideas about what new laws they would like to see made in the future.
It was a really great session, and the artwork is fantastic 👮🏼
Amy is back at the school in a few days – we can’t wait to see what the children come up with next time!
04.12.2025
An interesting newspaper clipping shared with us by Greenmount Village Community group. It tells the story of a fire in Holcombe Tower in 1930, and was published in The Lancashire Evening Post. The nearest water supply was so far away that the fire was left to burn itself out…
28.11.2025
Great to see the Peel Tower project mentioned again in the Greenmount Voice. They’re right… this project is a really great example of the wonderful work that can be done when local partners work together. A huge thank you to the Greenmount volunteers for their support, and to the amazing team at The National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding the project!
For those of you outside of Greenmount, you can read the update here: Peel Tower Greenmount Voice Update
25.11.2005
During the project, we’re finding out lots of interesting facts about Robert Peel and Holcombe. This week, a local resident shared some interesting newspaper articles, books and leaflets. In the file was this amazing photograph of Peel’s birthplace and Family home – Chamber Hall.
After Peel’s birth in 1788, his family remained a further 10 years in the Bury area before departing to Drayton Manor, near Tamworth in Staffordshire.
14.10.2025
Yesterday, the team from The Sunnywood Project were joined by 64 children from 16 different primary schools. They explored the moorlands, learning about the exciting work of the National Trust, marvelled at the views, climbed to the top of Peel Tower, and learnt a little bit more about Sir Robert Peel and when the tower was built.
It was an amazing session – thank you to everyone who came along, and huge thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making days like this possible!🌳🌳🌳
29.09.2025
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Lime Mortar Pointing training session at the weekend. The training was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by the brilliant Sympathetic Works – an organisation who specialise in the skills needed for the conservation and repair of traditional and historic buildings. It was a great day, and we’ve had some fantastic feedback from the participants ☀️
23.09.2025
We’re delighted that heritage specialist, Courtnay Ives, from Buttress has been on site today. Buttress provides architecture, heritage consultancy, urban design, and conservation architecture expertise. The team won’t complete any physical works on the monument, however, they will provide a detailed report that outlines the current condition of the monument, the extent of the repairs needed, and suggestions on how we can restore the tower back to it’s full glory. We’re excited to be working with them, and look forward to finding out what they discover once their surveys begin.
22.09.2025
Are you interested in historic building techniques? Or planning projects in your own pre-1919 home? Or just interest in trying lime mortar pointing?
If you are, then you can sign up for a FREE lime mortar pointing training session on Saturday, 27th September. The training is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and there are 2 spaces still available available.
All details on the poster below, but if you’d like to book or find out more, please email Martin Proffitt
09.09.2025
There’s still chance to book on to the FREE lime mortar pointing training session taking place on 27th September!
All details on the poster below, but if you’d like to book or find out more, please email Martin Proffitt
06.08.2025
Are you interested in historic building techniques? Or planning projects in your own pre-1919 home? Or just interest in trying lime mortar pointing?
If you are, then you can sign up for a FREE lime mortar pointing training session on Saturday, 27th September. The training is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and there are 10 spaces available.
All details on the poster below, but if you’d like to book or find out more, please email Martin Proffitt
30.07.2025
Jemma and Rose, two fantastic TEP ecologists, have now carried out a UK Habitat Condition Assessment and Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) for bats at Peel Tower. The visit aimed to understand the ecological value of the surrounding landscape and to assess the tower’s potential to support protected species, particularly bats.
The ecologists recorded several habitat types both around the tower and in adjacent areas. These included modified grassland, upland acid grassland, and upland heath, all of which provide important functions for biodiversity and will inform any future ecological considerations for the site.
Given the tower’s age and traditional stone construction, several features were identified that could also offer suitable roosting opportunities for bats. These included external crevices, gaps in stonework, and potential internal voids.
There’ll be more survey work taking place around the tower in the coming months – these surveys will help ensure any future work at or around Peel Tower can be carried out in line with ecological best practice and regulatory requirements.
15.06.2025
Another heritage hike across the gorgeous Holcombe Moor, led by the amazing team from The Sunnywood Project.
This week, the group ventured to the Ellen Strange memorial and listened to the gruesome tale that led to her tragic death. They also saw the sensitive grasslands and peatlands protected by The National Trust and went inside the iconic Peel Tower. Thank you to everyone who came along – it was a great day, and a great opportunity to find out more about the heritage so close to home.
Tenders for the main survey and heritage works, ecology works, and artists have now been shared by Bury Council. As soon as we have experts and contractors in place, we’ll let you know when activity at the tower will begin!
If you’d like to know more about these roles, you can contact Martin Proffitt for more information.
30.04.2025
To kickstart the project, a group set off exploring the heritage of Holcombe Moor and Peel Tower, on Easter Sunday. They passed by key historical features on the moor including Pilgrim’s Cross and Ellen Strange’s memorial. Much of the recent fantastic work conducted by the National Trust to protect the sensitive grasslands and peatland on the moor were also highlighted to the group.
The group ended the hike with climbing to the very of top of the iconic Peel Tower to marvel at the views across Greater Manchester and beyond. Huge thanks to The Sunnywood Project team for leading ☀️🌳☀️
24.02.2025
We’re delighted to be working alongside Bury Council and Greenmount Village Community on a project to assess the condition of the iconic landmark – Peel Tower, Bury.
The monument stands at the top of Holcombe Hill overlooking Ramsbottom, and was built after the death of Bury born Prime Minister, and founder of the Metropolitan Police Force, Sir Robert Peel. It was unveiled in 1852, and it has since attracted thousands of visitors.
In recent years, concerns about the condition of the monument have been raised. These include water ingress issues, broken windows, and damaged external mortar.
This project, funded by the amazing team at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will involve completing the surveys needed to help us determine the current physical condition of the tower. This is needed in order to get a clear idea of the works needed to preserve the structure.
As well as surveying the monument, the project team will also work with ecologists who will survey (and make recommendations for improving) the upland grass / moorland and wildlife habitats surrounding the tower.
Alongside the survey works, there will be lots of Peel Tower themed community activities running too. There’ll be bat walks, heritage talks, heritage skills workshops, educational research projects, art projects to design new interpretation panels, and even the opportunity to share wildlife and ecology details directly with the survey teams – so lots to look forward to!
As always, we’ll keep you updated here, so do check back for more news and information soon.
