Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Rawtenstall Holly Mount School Tower

Holly Mount School Tower

This tower is all that remains of a 19th-century schoolhouse that became a famous music venue before its destruction.

Rawtenstall, England

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Holly Mount School Tower   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Blue plaque relating the history of the site.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Holly Mount School Tower   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Holly Mount School Tower   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This tower looks very much like a church clock tower from a distance, but as you get closer it becomes clear that it's far too small. In fact, it's the last remnants of a school constructed in 1839 by two entrepreneurs, the Whitehead brothers. They were factory owners who sought to educate their employees with a very unique offer. 

They charged students typical school fees, but for each student, an account was established. When students reached the age of 21 all their fees were paid and the money refunded. This was intended to encourage the habit of saving among the working class.

During the early 20th century, the school building was extended and the site was converted into a car showroom. In 1932, it was transformed into the Astoria Ballroom, which was reputed to have been adorned with a fantastic Maplewood sprung dance floor.

During the 1950s, the owner at the time started to use the hall as a rock venue. It attracted some of the most popular groups of the time including The Animals, The Kinks, The Hollies, The Who, and The Walker Brothers. Given the fact that Rawtenstall is a quiet Lancashire textile town, the quality of the acts was remarkable and people would travel for miles to see the shows.

When the Rawtenstall bypass road was built, the venue moved to a new location in town, rebranded as the Astoria Dance Hall.

The old school hung around for a few more years until the entire building was demolished; all except for the school's old clocktower. The spare land was transformed into a delightful little public park in 1973. The clocktower is now officially protected as a listed building.

Related Tags

Buildings Architecture Clocks Towers

Know Before You Go

There is free parking for up to three hours off St. James St, but you have to display a disk showing your time of arrival (free from local shops).

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Martin, MrCarl, rbenn250

  • Martin
  • MrCarl
  • rbenn250

Published

March 16, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/53%C2%B042'06.1%22N+2%C2%B017'13.4%22W/@53.7017182,-2.2871534,41m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sOLD+FOLD+GARDEN,+ST+MARYS+WAY,+Rossendale,++uk!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d53.7017035!4d-2.2870569
Holly Mount School Tower
5 Bank St
Rawtenstall, England, BB4 6QS
United Kingdom
53.701574, -2.287137
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mr Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar

Rawtenstall, England

miles away

'Halo'

Haslingden, England

miles away

Holden Wood Antiques

Lancashire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rawtenstall

Rawtenstall

England

Places 2

Nearby Places

Mr Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar

Rawtenstall, England

miles away

'Halo'

Haslingden, England

miles away

Holden Wood Antiques

Lancashire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rawtenstall

Rawtenstall

England

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

19 Amazing Clock Towers

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Allen-Bradley Clock Tower

    This was once the largest four-sided clock in the world (yes, even bigger than Big Ben).

  • The former Wyoming National Bank buildings, known locally as “the onion” and “the egg beater.”

    Casper, Wyoming

    The 'M' Building and Tower

    Locally known as the "Onion” and the "Egg Beater,” Casper’s most recognizable buildings are beloved local landmarks to many, and eyesores to others.

  • Ghanta Ghar

    Jodhpur, India

    Ghanta Ghar

    The clock tower is a prominent landmark in the bustling commercial hub in the heart of Jodhpur, showcasing intricate architecture and cultural significance.

  • Young Clock Tower.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Young Clock Tower

    A precursor to Taro Okamoto’s iconic Tower of the Sun.

  • Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower

    Mumbai, India

    Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower

    A heritage structure designed in 1882 honors a Parsi philanthropist.

  • Bird Memorial Clock Tower

    Walpole, Massachusetts

    Bird Memorial Clock Tower

    This clock tower is all that remains of Bird Hall, constructed by one of the founding families of this Massachusetts town.

  • Closer look of the clock tower.

    Manila, Philippines

    Manila Clock Tower

    This iconic clock tower is the largest in the Philippines.

  • Petrovaradin, Serbia

    Pijani Sat (Drunk Clock)

    Backwards hour and minute hands and a timing mechanism that fluctuates with the temperature led to this clock tower's local nickname.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.