Brown's Folly (tower)

Brown's Folly. The Folly was once a prominent feature of the area, but has become obscured by the surrounding woodland

Brown'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]

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]

The tower has a square plan and tapers as it rises. The upper stage has round arched openings from with the balustrades have disappeared.[4]

In 1907 the tower was renovated by the owner of the estate, Charles Hobhouse, who had his shooting parties meet at the tower.[5][6] Demolition was suggested in 1938 but did not take place.[7] The Folly is structurally sound, but is not currently open to the public. Since 1998 it has been maintained by the Folly Fellowship who replaced the roof.[5]

A depiction of the Folly appears on the unofficial coat of arms of Bathford Parish Council.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Brown's Folly". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. 1 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". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Brown's Folly - The Tower". Derelict Places. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Browne's Folly Appeal" (PDF). Follies. 9 (3): 3. 1997.
  7. ↑ "Bathford Hill Woods and Brownes Folly Reserve" (PDF). Bathford. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Bathford Parish Council". Civic Heraldry. Retrieved 18 September 2016.

External links

Coordinates: 51°23′36″N 2°17′47″W / 51.39322°N 2.29635°W / 51.39322; -2.29635

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