Plizio Visual Lab

Major Bell's Tower

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

tower

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Major Bell's Tower is a prominent historical fortification located in the town of Hlotse, also referred to as Leribe. The tower was constructed in 1880 by British colonial forces under the direction of Major Bell, who served as the local magistrate at the time. Its construction was a direct response to the outbreak of the Basuto Gun War (1880-1881), a conflict triggered by colonial attempts to disarm the Basotho people. Built from sturdy local sandstone, the tower served as a strategic lookout post and a defensive stronghold meant to safeguard the British administrative buildings from Basotho raids. It stands today as a rare and well-preserved example of 19th-century British military architecture in Lesotho. The tower remains a significant landmark in the center of Hlotse, offering visitors a window into the turbulent colonial history of the region and the fierce resistance of the Basotho nation against foreign intervention and disarmament policies.

Location: Lesotho
Nearby: Khabo's (10 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	19	17	13	10	7	7	9	13	16	17	19
Rain mm	115	94	80	54	17	18	8	21	22	65	95	112

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Major Bell's Tower is a historic defensive tower from the Gun War era; the exterior grounds are always accessible. The interior is usually closed but may be opened on request.

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Typical hours

There are no set opening hours for the exterior. Interior visits are only possible after prior arrangement with the local tourist office.

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Photography

Photos of the tower and surroundings are allowed without restrictions. For interior visits, permission must be asked beforehand.

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Time needed

Viewing the exterior takes about 15-30 minutes. For an interior visit, allow an additional 30 minutes.

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Combine with

Combine the tower with nearby St. John's Anglican Church and Hlotse Market. The tower and market are within walking distance.

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Getting there

The tower is on the northern edge of Hlotse, about 10 minutes' walk from the town center. A car or taxi is advisable if short on time.

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Insider tip

Ask at the local tourist office for the key if you want to see the interior. A late-afternoon visit has beautiful photo opportunities with long shadows.