Shot Tower, Crane Park

Shot Tower in Crane Park, West London is a remnant of the once sprawling Hounslow Gunpowder Mills which operated from 1766 to 1926. It was built by Mr Jacobs of nearby Hanworth in 1826 and was used for making lead shot. Even though the tower is 83 feet tall the tower would have only made small lead shot. Typically a tower of over 120 feet was used for larger shot which needed a longer drop in which to cool (to make the shot molten lead was transported to the top of the tower where it was poured through a copper sieve and dropped into a water tank at the base of the tower).   Shot Tower was reopened in 2004 after being fully restored. It now hosts a nature and visitor centre and is often open to visitors on Sundays. 

Image reference LDNSHOTTOWR1

All photographs copyright artofthestate

Shot Tower, Crane Park

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