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The Great Britain Guide

Category

Follies

Built-for-the-view garden architecture: towers, ruins, grottoes, eye-catchers β€” eccentric and intentional.

769 places in this category.

Follies by region

Highlights

Manderley, Benvoulin Road, Oban - May 2016 - geograph.org.uk - 4939129β˜… IconicπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· Central Scotland

McCaig's Tower

Oban's Colosseum-inspired granite folly (1897), never quite finished.

FreeπŸ•β†— obanwhisky.com
Right bank of the R Forth - geograph.org.uk - 199483β˜… IconicπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· Central Scotland

The Dunmore Pineapple

An 18th-century garden folly topped with a giant stone pineapple β€” Scotland's strangest building.

FreeπŸ•

All follies

Arrows and ObeliskπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Arrows and Obelisk

Arrows and Obelisk β€” Public artwork (sculpture) by Peter Logan.

FreeπŸ•β†— manuk.org
Beryl BainbridgeπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Beryl Bainbridge

Beryl Bainbridge is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— highgatecemetery.org
Tower by the River Brent, Hendon - geograph.org.uk - 3957660πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Brent river Weir Folly

Brent river Weir Folly β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•β†— machzikehadath.com
Brodie McGhie WillcoxπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Brodie McGhie Willcox

Brodie McGhie Willcox is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Burton MausoleumπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Burton Mausoleum

Burton Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Bushy House Temple 01πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Bushy Hill Temple

Bushy Hill Temple β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Charles CruftπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Charles Cruft

Charles Cruft is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Cloister Garth ^1 - geograph.org.uk - 6304242πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— westminster-abbey.org
Christina RossettiπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Highgate Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 7973769πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Columbarium

Columbarium is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Garden, Copped Hall, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 3975184πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Copped Hall Temple

Copped Hall Temple β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Looking out from the Crystal Grotto at Painshill - geograph.org.uk - 6200772πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Crystal Grotto

Crystal Grotto β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Ά
David HughesπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

David Hughes

David Hughes is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Tower of the old St Margaret's (1) - geograph.org.uk - 1450532πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Edmund Halley (1656-1742)

Edmund Halley (1656-1742) is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Edward BloreπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Edward Blore

Edward Blore is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— highgatecemetery.org
Highgate Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 8233564πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Eliza Vaughan

Eliza Vaughan is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Southwark Park - geograph.org.uk - 1402358πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Elizabeth Dare Sanctuary

Elizabeth Dare Sanctuary is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Wicker Deer, Cedars Park, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire - geograph.org.uk - 2819359πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Flint Arch

Flint Arch β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Frank HollπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Frank Holl

Frank Holl is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— highgatecemetery.org
George HeringπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

George Hering

George Hering is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Bow, sunlight and shade - geograph.org.uk - 3100649πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Giovanni Ettore

Giovanni Ettore is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— fothcp.org
View of The Royal Society building from Waterloo Place - geograph.org.uk - 6105038πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Giro

Giro is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— tiredoflondontiredoflife.com
Trees in Gunnersbury Park - geograph.org.uk - 1579749πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gothic Arch

Gothic Arch β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•β†— visitgunnersbury.org
Gunnersbury House - geograph.org.uk - 2118052πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gothic Ruins

Gothic Ruins β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Folly view - geograph.org.uk - 5091498πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gothic Temple

Gothic Temple β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Ά
View from the Gothic Tower at Painshill - geograph.org.uk - 6205736πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gothic Tower

Gothic Tower β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Ά
Gunnersbury Park House - geograph.org.uk - 2625524πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gunnersbury Park Arch

Gunnersbury Park Arch β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— visitgunnersbury.org
Autumn in Gunnersbury Park - geograph.org.uk - 1565431πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gunnersbury Park Mock Gothic Ruins

Gunnersbury Park Mock Gothic Ruins β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•β†— visitgunnersbury.org
Gunnersbury Park TempleπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Gunnersbury Park Temple

Gunnersbury Park Temple β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Henry StorksπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Henry Storks

Henry Storks is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— highgatecemetery.org
The Gothic Tower - geograph.org.uk - 5091724πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Hermitage

Hermitage β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Ά
View of a sculpture in St. Paul's Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 5492778πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson is a folly in the United Kingdom.

πŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— stpauls.co.uk
Jean SimmonsπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— highgatecemetery.org
John MapleπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

John Maple

John Maple is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Back entrance to International Maritime Organisation - geograph.org.uk - 1182472πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

John Wisker died 1807

John Wisker died 1807 is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— london-fire.gov.uk
Joseph WestwoodπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Joseph Westwood

Joseph Westwood is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— fothcp.org
Karl Marx Original GraveπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Karl Marx Original Grave

Karl Marx Original Grave is a folly in the United Kingdom.

β™ΏπŸ•β†— highgatecemetery.org
The grave of Wilkie Collins, Kensal Green Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 4364369πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Kmety GyΓΆrgy sΓ­rja

Kmety GyΓΆrgy sΓ­rja is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Loddiges Family TombπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Loddiges Family Tomb

Loddiges Family Tomb is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— hackneygallery.co.uk
Lyne-Stephens mausoleum - geograph.org.uk - 3973900πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Lyne-Stephens Mausoleum

Lyne-Stephens Mausoleum β€” Historic tomb, 1862.

FreeπŸ•
Mausoleum of Henry Eaton, Lord CheylesmoreπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Mausoleum of Henry Eaton, Lord Cheylesmore

Mausoleum of Henry Eaton, Lord Cheylesmore is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— victorianweb.org
Tilt Road Cobham, with new housing under construction - geograph.org.uk - 51326πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

McAlpine Mausoleum

McAlpine Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Daffodils Myddelton House Garden, Enfield - geograph.org.uk - 5309712πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Old Market Cross

Old Market Cross β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— visitleevalley.org.uk
PagodaπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Pagoda

Pagoda β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

πŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— kew.org
Restoring the Gothic Tower - geograph.org.uk - 5122421πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Potomac boat House Folly

Potomac boat House Folly β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•β†— waterandsteam.org.uk
Arches in Gunnersbury Park - geograph.org.uk - 2626031πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Princess Amelia’s Bathhouse

Princess Amelia’s Bathhouse β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Queen Charlotte's CottageπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Queen Charlotte's Cottage

Queen Charlotte's Cottage β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Entrance to West Ham Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 4311656πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Rothschild Mausoleum

Rothschild Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— cannhall.org
'The Abbey' - a folly at Painshill, Cobham - geograph.org.uk - 6357704πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Ruined Abbey

Ruined Abbey β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Ruined ArchπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Ruined Arch

Ruined Arch β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— kew.org
By Ockham Manor - geograph.org.uk - 933764πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Samuelson Mausoleum

Samuelson Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•
Westminster Abbey - 51368735737πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— westminster-abbey.org
Sir Loftus OtwayπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Sir Loftus Otway

Sir Loftus Otway is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•β†— highgatecemetery.org
Theydon Mount church - geograph.org.uk - 5296213πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Sir William And Lady Smyth

Sir William And Lady Smyth β€” Historic tomb, 1877.

FreeπŸ•
The Soane Mausoleum. - geograph.org.uk - 2987874πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Soane Mausoleum

Soane Mausoleum β€” Historic tomb, 1816.

FreeπŸ•
Mausoleum of Sir Henry Tate in West Norwood Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 6853869πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Spurgeon family vault

Spurgeon family vault is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— southlondontheatre.co.uk
Stearns MausoleumπŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Stearns Mausoleum

Stearns Mausoleum is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— fonc.org.uk
Westminster Abbey - 51368735737πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking is a folly in the United Kingdom.

Freeβ™ΏπŸ•πŸ‘Άβ†— westminster-abbey.org
Twickenham War Memorial - geograph.org.uk - 2488502πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Summerhouse

Summerhouse β€” Folly or eyecatcher.

FreeπŸ•
Various monuments, West Norwood Cemetery (23) - geograph.org.uk - 3232122πŸ“· 5

Follies Β· London

Tate family vault

Tate family vault is a folly in the United Kingdom.

FreeπŸ•β†— southlondontheatre.co.uk

Browse follies by region

Frequently asked questions

How many follies are in this guide?
We currently list 769 follies across the United Kingdom β€” every entry sourced from Wikipedia, Wikidata or OpenStreetMap and validated against our schema.
Are these places free to visit?
Many places in the guide are free to enter β€” almost every national museum, every public park and garden, every parish church and cathedral. Castles, historic houses and theme parks usually charge admission; National Trust and English Heritage members visit those properties free.
Where does the data come from?
Every entry is built from open data: OpenStreetMap (locations, tags, opening hours), Wikipedia (descriptions), Wikidata (structured facts and operator information), Wikimedia Commons (images), ONS open data (population). The site never makes runtime API calls β€” everything is fetched at build time and committed.
How often is this updated?
A weekly automated job re-fetches the upstream sources and rebuilds the site. Manual editorial corrections are applied as overlays on top of the open data.