The Folly Tower, Folly tower near Pontypool, Wales
The Folly Tower is an octagonal stone structure that rises from a hilltop and stands roughly 40 feet tall. It was built as a purely decorative piece with no practical function, sitting on elevated ground surrounded by open countryside.
John Hanbury commissioned the tower's construction between 1765 and 1770, following the trend of building decorative structures for aesthetic purposes. The project reflected the European fashion of the time for creating garden ornaments.
The tower inspired Welsh poet Myfanwy Haycock to write verses about it in 1937, linking the structure to the area's literary traditions. Visitors can still feel this connection through the stories people tell about the place.
Access to the tower requires walking through an active farm with livestock grazing, so sturdy footwear is necessary. Visitors should respect the countryside and stay on appropriate paths during the visit.
During World War II, the Ministry of Defence ordered the tower's demolition in 1940 to prevent enemy aircraft from using it as a navigation point to nearby factories. Surprisingly, the structure was never demolished and still stands today.
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