Follies are generally rather grand structures that appear to serve no purpose and are considered rather frivolous.
They were popular in the 18th century when it was considered a sign of a landowner’s wealth and sense of fun in landscape design to adorn their estates with ornate structures. Some such as Leith Hill Tower emphasise an important natural feature, the highest point in Surrey at 294m. Others such as Painshill Park are a monument to the folly itself and are the precursor to ideas of themed parks, an attraction round every corner!
One folly in particular did have a purpose. The Town Hall at Gatton, erected in 1765 by Sir George Colebrooke as town hall for the parliamentary “rotten” borough of Gatton. In 1831 Gatton had 7 voters and could return two MP’s. The Doric temple constructed in cast iron was the height of fashion and used the latest new materials, being open air it was not very practical and was considered a rather clever political joke at the time!
Many structures that appear to be follies are in fact monuments to an event or a person. The founder of the National Trust, Octavia Hill is commemorated at Hydon’s Ball where a granite seat dominates the landscape of the viewpoint. Octavia died in 1912 and in 1915 her friends unveiled the seat in her memory. Sometimes wealthy individuals made magnanimous gestures to the local communities which would also ensure that their name lived on after they had gone.
The Inglis Memorial at Colley Hill, Reigate was donated to the Borough by Lieutenant Colonel Inglis in 1909. It was originally a drinking fountain for horses and although it appears to be in the middle of open downland it was at the top of the original route up Reigate Hill. Today it houses a direction indicator and is particularly noted for its exquisite tiled roof.
Visit
Why not visit Leith Hill Tower, Reigate and Colley Hill, and Painshill Park. Alternatively you can visit Octavia Hill’s seat on one of our walks Town & Country.