Bettison's Folly

Bettison's Folly is a brick tower near Newbegin Street, constructed with a cranked flagpole and traditional building methods using locally produced treacle bricks from the 1800s. The structure stands as a solid brick construction displaying mid-19th century craftsmanship.

William Bettison, a Hull brewer, built this tower between 1829 and 1853 in his garden as a signal device for household communication about dinner preparations. The structure reflects a practical, though unconventional, solution to managing domestic staff from distance.

The tower appears in lists of quirky British follies that reflect Victorian-era eccentricity and personal expression. It shows how landowners of that period sometimes invested in unusual structures for both function and display.

You can view the exterior of the tower from the surrounding housing area throughout the year without needing special arrangements. The best views come from public spaces around the edge of the residential estate.

During World War II, the tower served as an air raid observation post equipped with a warning siren that kept operating into the 1950s. This wartime role transformed a Victorian eccentricity into a practical defence structure.

Location: Hornsea

GPS coordinates: 53.91020,-0.16923

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25