One of Lancashire’s most recognised landmarks will be opening tomorrow as part of Easter celebrations.
The Rivington Heritage Trust, which manages the Rivington Pigeon Tower, will be opening the Pigeon Tower on Good Friday (March 29) between 10am and 2pm.
Those looking to visit are advised to get there early, with organisers warning that the queue has been closed earlier than billed in recent months.
The Trust asks for a donation to support the upkeep of the Terraced Gardens from anyone looking to visit the tower.
The tower, which is Grade II-listed, is located within the Rivington Terraced Gardens.
According to Historic England, the gardens were one of a series of three produced by Thomas Hayton Mawson in collaboration with philanthropist William Hesketh Lever, Lord Leverhulme.
The Pigeon Tower was built in about 1910 by Robert Atkinson to Mawson’s design, according to the tower’s official list entry, with the top floor said to have been used as a sewing room by Lady Lever.
The rest of the building was used as storage for ornamental doves and pigeons.
Good Friday will also see a return of the annual hike up Rivington Pike.
Thousands are expected to climb the pike, located next to the gardens, to enjoy their bank holiday weekend.
The annual tradition was cancelled during the pandemic as landowner United Utilities urged people not to gather, to prevent the spread of Covid.
However, the walk was back on in 2022, with hundreds once again climbing the landmark and enjoying refreshments such as slush drinks.
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