A Chimney Built to Be Seen
Perched on a hill in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Wainhouse Tower rises 275 feet (84 meters) into the sky. Though it looks like a grand Victorian monument, it began as something more practical: a chimney. But what began as industrial infrastructure became the tallest folly in the world—driven as much by smoke as by rivalry.
The Feud Behind the Stone
John Edward Wainhouse, a wealthy industrialist, owned the Washer Lane dye works, which required a tall chimney under the Smoke Abatement Act of 1870. Wainhouse hired architect Isaac Booth to design it, but insisted the chimney also be beautiful.
His neighbour, Sir Henry Edwards, claimed his estate at Pye Nest was the most private in Halifax. Wainhouse, eager to challenge this, added viewing platforms so that his tower could peer into Edwards’ land.
A New Owner, a New Purpose
In 1874, Wainhouse sold the dye works but kept the tower after the new owner refused to cover construction costs. The architect Booth left after disagreements and was replaced by Richard Swarbrick Dugdale, who designed the ornate upper galleries and the domed top.
The tower was completed on 9 September 1875, costing £14,000—equivalent to about £1.7 million in 2023. Wainhouse used it as a private observatory.
From Disrepair to Restoration
By 2006, the tower had deteriorated and was closed to the public. Major restoration began in 2008 and included dismantling and rebuilding the top, repairing masonry, and replacing corroded ironwork. After five months of work and £400,000 in repairs, Wainhouse Tower reopened on 4 May 2009.
Today, its 405 steps and panoramic views continue to attract visitors, and the story of how one man’s desire to comply with law—and outdo his neighbour—built one of Britain’s most remarkable towers remains visible in the Calderdale skyline.
In Halifax, a towering chimney became the world's tallest folly—built not just for smoke, but to win a feud.
John Edward Wainhouse wanted a functional structure that also shattered his neighbor's claim to privacy.
The result was a monument seen for miles…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/dCZJapatK8
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 15, 2025