Browne's Folly, Stone folly tower in Bathford, England
Browne's Folly is a square stone tower standing on Farleigh Rise, built from coursed rubble stone with rounded-arch openings at its upper levels. The structure measures roughly 12 meters in height and displays the distinctive architectural style typical of 19th-century folly towers.
Colonel Wade Browne commissioned this tower in 1845 as a way to provide work during a period of agricultural hardship. The construction served both practical and charitable purposes for the local community facing economic difficulties.
The tower features in Bathford Parish Council's unofficial coat of arms, showing how deeply rooted it is in the community's identity. Local residents recognize it as a symbol connecting their neighborhood to its architectural past.
The structure has been cared for by the Folly Fellowship since 1998, but visitors should know the internal spiral staircase has deteriorated and lacks safety railings. Caution and awareness of the building's limitations are essential when exploring inside.
The surrounding area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and contains one of Britain's oldest recorded Greater Horseshoe Bats, discovered in January 2000. This discovery makes the location significant for bat conservation and wildlife research.
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