A VIEWING tower at a garden in Oxfordshire is now available for the public to use.

Waterperry Gardens near Wheatley, officially opened the masterpiece last Friday where gardener and TV personality, Rachel de Thame, did the honours of cutting the ribbon.

Funded by the School of Philosophy and Economic Science, the tower was designed by David Hockley and built by John Franks and is now open for visitors to enjoy.

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Its wooden frame comes from an oak tree that had to be cut down in the garden three years ago.

After years of the wood seasoning and its eventual construction, people can now climb the spiral staircase and peak over the walls of the garden to view the eight acres of gardens beyond.

Ms Thame, who presented on BBC2’s Gardeners' World, said: “It was such a joy for me to come to Waterperry and see the walled garden and tower for myself.

Pat Havers, head gardener at the centre, said: “Today has been a beautiful finale to the completion of this tower.

“Personally it has been made more special to have Rachel open it for us.”