Romantic British follies you can stay in
The Oxford English Dictionary states that the term ‘folly’ itself began as a “popular name for any costly structure considered to have shown folly in the builder'; the French, on the other hand, insist that the name comes from the French word folie, which, depending on context, translates to ‘silliness’, ‘madness’ or ‘delight’. In this instance, the French have it right. Follies are indeed either one or enthralling combination of the three – some are mad, like Clavell Tower in Dorset, built on a cliff's edge, some are silly, like The Pineapple, a folly in Scotland, and all are a delight.
Despite of the Francophone definition, follies are a bonafide British architectural phenomenon: buildings of extravagant appearance and seemingly devoid of practical purpose, they are constructed principally as decorative additions to estates, gardens and parks. In the United Kingdom, the fourteenth century saw to the construction of the kingdom's first folly, built at Sir Thomas Tresham's Rushton Lodge in Northamptonshire. Fantastical buildings with a beautiful history, it is no wonder that Britain has sustained a love affair with these fickle, illusory buildings.
Here are some that – for us – were love at first sight.
1/11Euston Hall, Suffolk
Designed by one of the 18th century’s most celebrated architectural geniuses, William Kent, The Temple is a lovely example of its kind – an octagonal domed folly nestled beautifully on a high bank overlooking the town of Thetford and the Euston Estate. Unusually for these whimsical buildings, this one has been kitted out to make for an elegant and treating country stay.
The Temple was originally commissioned as a banqueting room for the second Duke of Grafton. The third and fourth Dukes, however, loved to use it as a comfortable vantage point to watch their racehorses (of the prestigious Grafton Stud) being trained in the park. The current and 12th Earl of Grafton has now brought the temple happily up to date, and opened it for bookings.
Euston Hall, Thetford, Suffolk, sleeps up to 8.
2/11The Pineapple, Central Scotland
An elaborate two-storey summerhouse, The Pineapple was built for the fourth Earl of Dunmore. Though classical and orthodox at ground level, it grows slowly into something entirely eccentric - a work of genius. The Pineapple presides over an immense walled garden. To house the gardeners, stone bothies were built on either side of The Pineapple. These now make for simple unassuming rooms to stay in.
The Pineapple, Dunmore, Central Scotland, sleeps up to four.
3/11The Shooting Folly, Shropshire
The Shooting Folly, surrounded by verdant Shropshire farmland, is one of the most romantic bolt holes on this list. While first used as a shooting lodge, the building was first fitted with a crenelated mock church tower at one end and a stepped gable at the other. The middle, curiously, is made to resemble a timber thatched cottage. The house is the idyllic folly for those seeking tranquility – and for those wishing to socialise, the local pub is only a few miles away via a charming forest path.
The Shooting Folly, Cheswardine, Shropshire, sleeps 2.
4/11Gothic Temple, Buckinghamshire
This extraordinary landmark is set in one of the world's most famous landscape gardens. The Gothic Temple, built in 1741 and designed by James Gibbs, is one of the last additions to the garden at Stowe. Lord Cobham dedicated his new folly 'to the liberty of our Ancestors', for which the Gothic style and dark brown limestone were deemed appropriate. Inside, the rooms are all circular, with moulded stone pilasters and plaster vaults - the main vault of the central space is gorgeously decorated with heraldic mosaics.
The Gothic Temple, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, sleeps up to four.
5/11Tixall Gatehouse
Built in 1580 by Sir Walter Aston, Tixall Gatehouse looks almost fictional. The property has a rich history and was a chosen residence to imprison Mary, Queen of Scots in 1586. The Landmark Trust bought the gatehouse for £300 in 1968, and created five large rooms, one of them a gallery above the two archways with an oriel window at each end. The second floor makes an exceptionally good table tennis room.
Tixall Gatehouse, near Stafford, Staffordshire, sleeps up to six.
6/11The Temple Folly, Yorkshire
A Grade-II* listed folly, the Temple represents 18th-century splendour. Despite its vast views across Wensleydale and Bolton Castle (beautifully illuminated at night), the folly itself is perfectly secluded, comprised of two octagonal rooms (one of which features a wood-fired hot tub from which you can stargaze).
The Temple Folly, Swinithwaite, Yorkshire, sleeps 2.
7/11The Banqueting House, Newcastle upon Tyne
At the edge of the National Trust's Gibsie estate is the 18th-century Gothic folly, the Banqueting House. Overlooking a gorgeous octagonal pool with views of the Derwent Valley beyond, the house is an idyllic, well-situated haven. Enjoy a picnic on the surrounding estate's grounds, row a boat on the lake or simply relax in the embellished, well-appointed living room.
The Banqueting House, Gibside, Newcastle upon Tyne, sleeps up to four.
8/11The Ruin, Grewelthorpe
A sweeping, Janus-faced Georgian folly, the Ruin is one of the Landmark Trusts' most unique offerings. Overlooking the rugged, rolling, Romanesque Yorkshire landscape, the house stands the test of time. Built to resemble a Roman ruin, the house exudes a patina of refinement and wisdom. Its rooms are beautifully furnished: gorgeous rugs, porcelain baths and a beautiful, sun-soaked terrace. A remarkable stay.
The Ruin, Hackfall, Grewelthorpe, sleeps 2.
9/11Fairburn Tower, Scotland
One of the sole architectural survivors of the Scottish Renaissance, a holiday at Fairburn Tower is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With beautiful views in the Muir of Ord, the tower sits about 20-miles west of Inverness. Built on the lands of Murdo Mackenzie – friend to King James V and Mary of Guise – in 1545, the tower stores Scottish secrets and rich histories under each brick. The Landmark Trust's restoration of the tower is still ongoing, with bookings available in winter.
Fairburn Tower, Ross-shire, Scotland, sleeps 4.
10/11Whiteford Temple, Cornwall
With unobstructed views of the Tamar estuary, this Cornish folly is bound to delight. Built in 1799 on the estate of Sir John Call, the Temple was host to many parties; later, the building and its environs were sold to the Duchy of Cornwall. Sleep in this glorious landscape ornament and bask in its Cornish beauty.
Whiteford Temple, near Callington, Cornwall, sleeps 2.
11/11Clavell Tower, Dorset
With dramatic views which cascade onto Kimmeridge Bay, this folly is perhaps the most breathtaking on the list. Writers and literature lovers alike will rejoice in the house's history: Hardy and PD James are two of many who have been captivated by Clavell. The Tower is not for the faint of heart, however: note that to reach paradise, there is a ten-minute climb up steep cliff.
Clavell Tower, on Kimmeridge Bay, Wareham, Dorset, sleeps 2.
