Hartcliff Folly

Hartcliff Folly is a stone tower in Penistone, South Yorkshire, built with an internal spiral staircase that visitors can climb. The structure stands at an elevation of approximately 360 meters and commands views across the surrounding landscape.

The tower was built in 1856 by Henry Richardson, a linen merchant and first Mayor of Barnsley, as a monument to his business success. It stood as a visible expression of his prosperity and social achievement.

The tower represents a time when landowners built such structures to display their wealth and standing in the community. These buildings were fashionable among the upper classes during the Victorian era.

Access to the top depends on weather conditions and the structure's maintenance, so visitors should check conditions beforehand. The climb requires physical fitness and a head for heights due to the narrow spiral staircase and elevation.

A local benefactor named Jeff Pears funded a complete restoration of the deteriorating structure between 1999 and 2000. After bringing it back to life, he donated the restored tower to the Penistone community as a gift.

GPS coordinates: 53.51300,-1.66360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21