National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £10,000 to £250,000
Up on the cliffs above Summerleaze Beach in Bude you will find the historic Storm Tower. Situated at Compass Point, this Grade II listed octagonal tower was built in 1835 as a refuge for the coastguard. It was first moved in 1881 due to coastal erosion and has continued to be a much-loved local landmark affectionally know as the 'Pepper Pot'.
Threat from the climate emergency
Climate change and coastal erosion had put this structure in danger of being lost to the sea once again. In places, it was just a few metres between the cliff edge and the Storm Tower.
Supported by the Heritage Fund, along with funding from Cornwall Council and Bude-Stratton Town Council, the tower was moved 100 metres inland in 2023 and has been saved for years to come. This painstaking process saw each stone moved, piece by piece, to its new home. Following the project completion, it was shortlisted in the heritage category at the RICS UK Awards 2025.
Community support
Bude’s community played an intrinsic part in saving the Storm Tower, after raising £60,000 through crowdfunding. To thank the community, an activity programme took place to share the stories behind this iconic structure. Local schools learnt about Bude’s coastal heritage, how it has changed over the past centuries and the threat from coastal erosion and the climate emergency.
Explore more inspiring projects across the London & South.
