IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Picton Close, MILFORD HAVEN, SA73 3EL

Sadly, in the same (probably worse) condition as is 2007 when Ceridwen took her photographs. Astonishing to see a Grade 1 listed building treated in this way.

This surprising structure can be found nestled cheek by jowl with the modern housing and back-yard clutter that has accumulated around it since it was built by Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809) in the early years of the C19 as part of a planned mathematics, engineering and technical college. Thomas Firminger (1775-1861), previously Assistant to Nevil Maskelyne at Greenwich, was appointed briefly as superintendent. An excellent collection of instruments was assembled, including the celebrated Lee transit circle. The plans were abandoned after Greville's death due to a lack of money and interest and although the observatory was completed, the college itself never came into being.

Squatting amongst casual modern surroundings the observatory has a slightly sinister appearance, like a wartime relic, but in fact its purpose was simply to train naval students in navigation at a time, a decade or so into the C19, when the problem of longitude had not yet been solved and an accurate knowledge the stars was essential for sailors.

The observatory consisted of an octagonal two-storey tower with a conical roof and vertical side-slits. The roof and internal structure have fallen in and steel struts have been used to brace the walls. Although it is protected as an ancient monument there is no sign of any attempt to restore this fascinating building (Griff Rees Jones, where are you?).

The streetname gives the game away but there is nothing on the OS map, nor in the Pevsner Architectural Guide, to prepare you for this sight of an early C19 observatory lurking in the middle of a C20 housing estate here in the Milford Haven suburb of Hakin. Although in private ownership it is a Grade One monument.

A public house.