The hill's relative elevation (about 177 metres above sea-level, in comparison with the valley floor's 44 metres)[1] makes the tower's site a natural vantage point with all-encompassing views to the west, north and east – including the vale of Whittingham, through which the River Aln flows; the sites of numerous country seats past and present, such as at Eslington, Bolton, Callaly, Shawdon, Broomepark, and Lemington; Hulne Priory within the park walls; The Cheviot, 20 miles distant and the Teviotdale hills and Flodden a further 20 miles away; the Northumberland coast including the Farne Islands and Coquet Island, and the castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Warkworth.

The tower was commissioned in about 1777 to commemorate Lady Elizabeth Seymour, who died in 1776, by her husband Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, after the third creation of that title by virtue of the marriage.

[8] The tower has six stages, the lowest of which has an encircling verandah, and the topmost surrounded by a projecting viewing platform or balcony, and surmounted by a cast-iron fire basket.

[7] Mordaunt Crook describes the tower as being stylistically unrestrained - "its components ... extraordinarily elastic: classical acanthus capitals; pierced arcaded battlements; Gothic finials and crockets; a touch of the Saracenic; perhaps even a hint of Rosslyn Chapel - all adding up to 75 feet of Rococo fantasy rearing high above the Romantic landscape of Alnwick Park" - and quotes a commentator upset by the "defiance of all rule whatever" ... "This building is a sad monument of vanity".

[4] The tower was given a Grade 1 listing[10] in December 1969,[5] but by the end of the 20th century had been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register owing to extensive water damage and corroded ironwork, and was closed to the public.