Browne's Folly (tower)

Browne's Folly is a folly tower on the Farleigh Rise near the village of Bathford in Somerset, England. The Folly was designated a Grade II listed building in 1988.[1] It gave its name to Brown's Folly, a 100 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1974.[2]

For the site of the tower, see Browne's Folly.

Browne's Folly
The Folly was once a prominent feature of the area, but has become obscured by the surrounding woodland
LocationBathford
Coordinates51.39321,-2.29636
HeightApprox. 12 metres (39 ft)
Built1845

History

The tower was built in 1845 by Colonel Wade Browne, the squire of Monkton Farleigh Manor, to provide employment during an agricultural recession.[2] It replaced a semaphore tower which had previously stood on the site.[3] In 1907 the tower was renovated by the owner of the estate, Charles Hobhouse, who had his shooting parties meet at the tower.[4][5] Demolition was suggested in 1938 but did not take place.[6]

A depiction of the Folly appears on the unofficial coat of arms of Bathford Parish Council.[7]

Structure

The tower is made of coursed rubble stone, has a square plan and tapers as it rises. Inside, there is a spiral staircase in some degree of disrepair and with no handrail. The upper stage has round-arched openings but the balustraded handrails are missing the entire way up the staircase.[8] The Folly is structurally sound. While dangerous to climb, the tower is currently open to the public. Since 1998 it has been maintained by the Folly Fellowship, which replaced the roof.[4]

References
  1. "Brown's Folly". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. "Brown's Folly", Avon Wildlife Trust, retrieved 18 August 2011
  3. "£75,000 awarded to Browne's Folly site" (PDF). Foll-e. 34. 2011.
  4. "Brown's Folly - The Tower". Derelict Places. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  5. "Browne's Folly Appeal" (PDF). Follies. 9 (3): 3. 1997.
  6. "Bathford Hill Woods and Brownes Folly Reserve" (PDF). Bathford. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  7. "Bathford Parish Council". Civic Heraldry. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  8. "Brown's Folly". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 18 September 2016.

51°23′36″N 2°17′47″W

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