The Shot Tower

The Shot Tower is a historic sandstone tower rising 48m over the banks of the Derwent River. The Shot Tower offers spectacular views ranging up, down and across the beautiful river.

The Shot Tower is 10m in diameter at the base with metre thick walls and 3.9m at the top with the wall being thinned out to 45cm. The tower has 259 steps to the top, but 25 landings on which to catch your breath and take in the stunning views.

The Shot Tower was originally used for making lead shot that was produced by pouring molten lead through a perforated plate and letting it drop into a big vat of water at the bottom of the tower. Now accompanying a museum at the bottom of the tower and tearooms alongside.