AN 18th century tower at Cotehele near St Dominick has recently been re-opened after it was closed nine months ago.

The Prospect Tower on the National Trust estate stands in a field just north of the Tudor house and commands a wide view eastwards towards Dartmoor, westwards over Cornwall and southwards over Plymouth and Rame Head.

Cotehele lead ranger Joe Lawrence said: 'Last autumn one of the steps inside was cracked and there was other work needed so we were obliged to close it to make the repairs. The damage was due to normal wear and tear in a monument of its age. It was important to conserve and restore it for visitors' enjoyment, but also to safeguard it as an important piece of Tamar Valley history.'

This distinctive three-sided tower is something of a mystery and was probably built in the mid-18th century, but no one is certain of its intended purpose.

'It may have been built so that the Edgcumbe family could signal to and from Maker Church eleven miles away, or perhaps built to commemorate the visit of King George III and Queen Charlotte in 1789 and Lord Edgcumbe's elevation to an earldom.'

An almost identical tower folly stood on Penlee Point on the Mount Edgcumbe estate, but was demolished in 1914.

Visitors are welcome to climb the 42 stairs to take in the view. At one point there was talk of installing a window half way up but it was decided that this would interfere with the thrill of emerging from complete darkness into the wonderful panorama that is the Tamar Valley.

For those who are less confident in the darkness, there are wind-up torches to borrow at the base of the tower.