About this Event
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.*
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.
Getting to the tower
Major roadworks have been in progress on the M25 Juction 10/Wisley interchange for the past two years. These works are expected to be completed 'spring 2026'. Last-minute closures may occur, please check the National Highways website: M25 junction 10 - National Highways
There is no parking at this Landmark. Please use nearby 'Pond car park' KT11 1ND. More informationl on local parking can be found here: Wisley and Ockham Commons - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
Ockham Common car parks are around 10-15 minutes walk to the Semaphore Tower. There are clearly marked paths from both car parks up the hill to the tower. Look out for red and blue 'Chatley Heath' markers along the paths.
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 [email protected]. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower, Pointers Road, Cobham, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
