The Tower House

The interesting appearance of Tower House, next to Lubenham Church, is largely due to a former owner Jack 'Cherry' Angell, a horse racing enthusiast who celebrated his major wins by adding to the house. His most prominent addition is that of a tall tower built to commemorate his horse Alcibade winning the 1865 Grand National.

Cherry, so nicknamed because of the colour of his coaches, was a popular local figure. He was one of the finest sportsmen and horseowners in the area and enjoyed many wins. A story tells how he used to nail the horseshoes from his champions to the stable door (the stables now converted to houses) opposite the house. The stable door is now in storage in Leicestershire Museums.

A later occupant, the Rev. Graham Dilley, turned the house into Lubenham Vicarage. He was also a keen huntsman and took great care to preserve Cherry's winning momentoes. It is told that he had the stable door removed and hung like a picture in the house. Another story relates to a section of a plaster ceiling that was removed from Lamport hall and installed in the ballroom of the Tower House after it was won in a bet.

The mound under which Alcibade was buried is close by.

The house is currently being restored in private ownership and hosts the Quilting workshops of Linda Straw.