Castlewood, Shooters Hill, SE18
This striking triangular tower stands in Castlewood high on the slopes of Shooters Hill (the roof is 15 metres higher than the cross on St. Paul’s cathedral).
Designed by a Mr. Jupp, this folly was built in 1784 by Lady James in the grounds of what was then Park Farm Place.
She built the tower following the death of her husband, to commemorate his capture of the pirate fortress of Severndroog on the Malabar coast of India on the 2nd April 1755. An inscription recording the event can be seen above the entrance.
Daring seaman
Sir William James was born in 1720, the son of a Pembrokeshire miller. He went to sea at the age of 12 and rapidly made his name as a daring seaman. The East India Company engaged him to suppress piracy and the capture of Severndroog was just one of many dramatic ventures he carried out to safeguard the company’s fortunes. He eventually became a director, and deputy master of Trinity House. He bought Park Farm Place in 1759 and died there in 1783.
The family vault is in the churchyard at St. John the Baptist, Eltham.
More information
The castle is not open to the public, but it features along with many other attractive buildings and parks on the Green Chain Walk (Thames Barrier to Oxleas Wood section) which stretches across the Borough. Guides to the walks are on sale at selected libraries and the Tourist Information Centre.
The Severndroog Campaign Group is battling for funding to restore the building and open it to the public.
Learn more about the history of the castle and the campaign to save it on the Severndroog website.