Follies

The following are a small collection of follies that I have recently visited. In the near future I hope to include a little more information about these strange buildings. Please note the coordinates, map information and information is to the best of my knowledge correct, if it isn't, please let me know so I can change the text below. Its also worth noting that some of the buildings listed here are in a poor state of repair and in some cases dangerous positions, I can take no responsibility for you and your visits. Its also worth noting that some of the buildings are private property, so please don't do anything to spoil future folly hunters visits.

Its difficult to define what a folly is, or isn't. Many things are described as follies, towers, monuments, bridges, well heads, pyramids, cottages and grottoes. There is no real characteristic of a folly, other than it has no real use. The only reason for their creation is for looking at and admiring. As far as I can find most follies were built from the 1500's up to the early 1900's. Some are in a pretty poor condition, close to being lost, others are well loved and in some cases actually in use as homes or holiday locations. I hope to create a list of sites below, and the ones I have visited will apear in the phtoos above.

Hampshire

Farley Mount

Near Winchester in Hampshire, its a favorite of mine from my university days. The pyramid shaped monument was commissioned by Sir Paulet St John, to remember the horse who saved his life by jumping a wide chalk pit at a gallop. The horse "Chalk Pit" then went on to win races. The monument is easily reached by walking along a wide track.

N 051°03.6' W 001°25.6' google map

Wilks Water

A simple eyecatcher placed across a lake from a very nice house, near the small Hampshire town of Odiham. The lake called Wilkes's Water, house and eyecatcher are situated near the canal which runs between Odiham and Fleet. The nearby house is build with similar roof features as the monument. Again its easy to find and access is good with a nice walk along the flat canal. This folly was built by Paulet St John who had the monument built to remember his horse on Farly Down. Having said that build might not be the correct word as the actual construction is about as basic as it comes, I wont give away the secret, and as a folly it works really well, making a nice element of the house view. But don't expect anything too special close up.

N 051°15.7' W 000°54.7' google map

Luttrels Tower

Overlooking Southampton Water, it was build by Temple Simon Luttrell around the 1780's. It was built to enable him to view the ships and boats in the Solent. The tower has been used for smuggling and more recently by Marconi during the first world war for wireless experiments. Its now owned by the Landmark Trust and is available for renting as a holiday home. It is difficult to get too, but the view here is easily seen by walking along the shore from the outdoor center at Calshot ( near Fawley ).

N 051°0370' W 001°20.7' google map

Northampshire

The Triangular Lodge

Built by Sir Thomas Tresham in 1593 in the grounds of nearby Rushton Hall. Its owned by the National Trust and is open during the summer. It was built after Sir Thomas became a Catholic and was imprisoned, he was obsessed with the Holy Trinity and during his stay at the crowns pleasure he designed the building with all its details in three's.

N 052°26.5' W 001°47.0'

Waterloo Tower

Built next to the main road connecting Northampton and Corby. It was built to celebrate the winning of the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The building like several others in the area are round almost windmill like, but of the four around Finedon, none have ever been used for such. The folly is now used as a house and has been added to, its nice to see the building being used, but did they have to put up a TV aerial ?

N 052°22.2' W 001°37.2'

Lyveden New Bield

Lyveden New Bield can be found about four miles south-west of Oundle. The never completed building was designed by the Triangular lodges builder Sir Thomas Tresham. It was to be the lodge at the end of his garden. It was started in 1600. The building was nearly taken down during the Civil War, but the fine workmanship was so good, they had difficulty pulling it down, all they managed was the demolition of the steps. The building is a cross shape and can be reached easily by foot. In the nearby cottage, lives a young man who I assume works for the National Trust, he is a real hive of information and knows a great deal about the lodge, gardens and the Old Bield which is nearby.

N 052°27.8' W 001°33.5'

Dorest Follies

Grange Arch

Located near to Kimmerage Bay, this arch ( great photo of its shadow can bee seen at Googles maps ) is located above Grange Farm, from it you can see Clavel Tower. Its an easy walk from the car park on the ridge.

N 000°0.0' W 000°0.0' google map

Clavel Tower

Over looking Kimmerage Bay, its 3 stories are now in poor condition. It is over looked by the folly above. The landowner who build the Grange Arch had the tower built to help out locals when the mines under the bay were closed. The path up is fairly steep and not pleasant in wet and muddy periods, and care must be taken whilst up on the cliffs, which are rapidly approaching the tower. Its recenly been moved back from the cliffs so hopefully it should last a few hundred years more.

N 050°36.4' W 002°07.6' google map

Norfolk Follies

There were stories that this tower was a war time look out and a semi completed mill, but as far as I can tell these are incorrect and the tower is a true folly. It fairly tricky to find as its off the main road and hidden behind some trees.

N 000°0.0' W 000°0.0'

Berkshire Follies

Highclere Castle Follies I've just found two small follies here, I not sure, but there might be more...

N 000°0.0' W 000°0.0' google map

Folly Links

Here is a selection of folly related links listed in no particular order. I know the descriptions aren't great, and I will up date these soon.

• Hawkstone Park - Follies and Gardens
• Perrott's Folly - Birmingham, UK
• Barwick Follies
• Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hampshire, UK
• Sharpes Folly
• Sharpes Folly
• Folly
• Faringdon: Local Attractions
• Hampshire Genealogical Society Home Page

Acknowledgements and Good Reads

Books I have used and liked.

Follies (Shire Album) by Jeffery W Whitelaw

Follies, Grottoes and Garden Buildings by Gwyn Headley and Wim Meulenkamp