Black Dick's Tower, also known as The Temple, is a folly located near Mirfield, West Yorkshire. It was built in the 18th century as a summer house for the Whitley Beaumont estate. The exact reason for its nickname is unknown, but there are several local legends associated with it.

Here are some interesting facts about Black Dick's Tower:

• It is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is considered to be of special architectural or historical interest.
• It is made of local stone and has a distinctive octagonal shape.
• The tower offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
• It is said to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Richard Beaumont, who was also known as "Black Dick".
• The tower is currently in a state of disrepair, but there are plans to restore it.

Sir Richard Beaumont:

• Lived from 1574-1631 and was the owner of the Whitley Beaumont estate, where Black Dick's Tower stands.
• Nicknamed "Black Dick of the North" by King James I, possibly due to his dark hair and beard, rumored wild lifestyle, or perceived misdeeds.

Black Dick's Tower:

• Also known as "The Temple," built in the 1750s, over a century after Sir Richard's death.
• Popular legend associates the tower with Sir Richard, claiming he built it as a summer house or used it for dark magic, though historical evidence contradicts this.
• Another legend claims his headless ghost haunts the tower on July 5th due to a violent death, but this too lacks historical basis.

So, while Sir Richard has no factual connection to building or using the tower, his infamous nickname persists. This likely happened due to his local notoriety and the tower's mysterious origin, leading to folklore merging them.

Remember, the tower's actual construction timeframe and purpose remain unclear, but it serves as a fascinating landmark with a romanticized, albeit inaccurate, association with Sir Richard Beaumont.

Location of Black Dick's Tower