FOR just two days a year, members of the public are allowed to explore a Worcestershire tower on school grounds.

The Abberley Tower can be seen for miles around, and for years I have driven past it wanting to go and have a look, and climb to the top to see the amazing views.

On a windy October day Worcester News chief photographer John Anyon and I were given a special behind-the-scenes tour to climb the clock tower in the grounds of Abberley Hall School, on the A443, to find out a little bit more about the impressive landmark.

In 1880, John Joseph Jones, a man of substantial wealth, inherited the Abberley Hall estate – and it was two years later when he commissioned a carillon and clock tower to be built on Merritt’s Hill.

Work on the tower began in June 1883 and completed in October 1884 – which at the time was a remarkable short time for a building to be constructed.

The supposedly haunted tower (Mr Jones’ wife was said to have plummeted to her death after it was discovered that she was having an affair), with its thin and steep stone steps is climbed each day by school groundsman Tony Edwards, who braves the journey to the top to fulfil a very important task.

“Each day it’s my job to wind the clock. I do it first thing in the morning. It’s quite a climb to the top and I must say it really keeps me fit,” said Mr Edwards.

“One of the main things people comment on is the views, which on a bright sunny day can be quite stunning,” he said.

The winding stairs lead up through several rooms, with one of the most impressive being the sewing room, which opens up into a glorious tiled and glassed room where ladies used to sit and work.

The room has some beautiful oriel stained-glass windows, embossed with the arms of the Joneses, along with a large coal fire which you could imagine really would be needed on a wintry day.

Further up the steps you come across the bell tower and the chamber housing the well-oiled metal clock. You can then access the narrow balcony at the top of the tower and look out across the breathtaking views of the Worcestershire countryside and beyond.

There are also many reasons why it is thought this tower was built, but one of the best and perhaps most liked, is that Mr Jones constructed it so that none of his numerous workmen and staff could have the excuse of not knowing the time.

But it is also thought it was built as a result of aristocratic rivalry with Lord Dudley at nearby Witley Court, who supposedly once said he owned all he could see from his house – this soon had to be hushed once the tower was built, standing 700 feet (213 meters) above sea level.

Over the years the clock tower has been used in a number of television and film productions, with the latest one being filmed by 20/20 productions for the BBC’s children’s television show The Sorcerer’s Apprentice where children are taught magic.

The tower is managed by English Heritage which stipulates that it has to be opened up to the public for two days a year. It usually opens its doors in June or July.

It really is a shame more cannot be made of such a fine piece of heritage on our doorstep, but the tower can be admired from miles around as a landmark which manages to holds many secrets.