The Landmark Trust are opening Semaphore Tower for Heritage Open Days this September.

Join us to explore Semaphore Tower on either Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 September 2026 for Heritage Open Days.

Semaphore Tower is a unique remnant from the Napoleonic era, the Grade II* listed brick structure is the only surviving semaphore tower in Britain. It was once a cutting-edge building at the forefront of technology and design, a vital link in a signalling chain that transmitted messages from Admiralty House in London to Portsmouth Docks in just a few minutes.

Admission is free and leaflets on the building's history and children's activity sheets will be available on site.

Please note: There is no parking at this building. You can park at nearby Wisley & Ockham Common car park: KT11 1NR.

*Semaphore Tower is a small building with a tight staircase so in order to keep visitors safe we will be limiting the number of people allowed in at one time; this could mean that if you arrive at a particularly busy time you may be asked to wait to gain entry.*

Getting to the tower

There is no public parking at this Landmark and visitors are requested not to navigate by car directly to the tower. All visitors should use local public car parks on Ockham Common: Pond Car Park, Old Lane, Ockham, Surrey, KT11 1ND.

From the car park it is around 10 minutes walk to Semaphore Tower. Follow Landmark Trust signage and marked footpaths across Ockham Common that lead up the hill to the tower. Look out for wooden posts with red and blue 'Chatley Heath' markers along the paths. Hidden in the trees, the tower won't be visible until the final stretch of the path.

More information on local parking can be found here: Wisley and Ockham Commons - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

We anticipate the recent roadworks will have been completed, but encourage all visitors to check before you travel: M25 junction 10 - National Highways

Making a donation to Landmark as part of your visit

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to visit a Landmark for free as part of our Open Day programme, and as such we’re pleased to continue to offer free entry at all our Open Days in 2025.

The Landmark Trust is a building conservation charity that relies on donations to support its work. Over the past 60 years, public support has helped us rescue over 200 historic buildings and make them available for all to experience and enjoy. Your support by attending our events, booking a workshop, and making a donation allows us to continue to save buildings at risk and continue to maintain those already in our care. Your donation could help train the craftspeople needed to restore a future Landmark, offer opportunities for young people to experience history first-hand, or provide a charity with free Landmark stay for their service users through our 50 for Free scheme.

Donations can be made when you book your Eventbrite ticket, at the event via contactless donation points, or after your visit via our website under Support.

Open Day entry

Due to the historic nature of our buildings we have a limited capacity for our Open Day events. You may therefore be asked to wait a short time while other visitors finish their visit. Whilst booking is not essential, priority will be given to those who have booked in advance. Thank you for your co-operation.

In the case of high winds forecast, for the safety of visitors and staff, the roof may have to be closed.

Accessibility

Paths to the tower take an incline up the hill and are uneven at times with a number of steps that may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

Semaphore Tower is a small building with a tight staircase so in order to keep visitors safe we will be limiting the number of people allowed in at one time; this could mean that if you arrive at a particularly busy time you may be asked to wait to gain entry.

We do all we can to enable access wherever possible; for further information or if you have any access concerns that you’d like to discuss before visiting, please contact our Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or booking@landmarktrust.org.uk. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm.

Description supplied by the event organiser.