Welsh Follies - Secrets, Stories and Scandals

Introduction 7
1 Ellin’s Tower, Penrhos, Anglesey 11
2 The Marquess of Anglesey’s Column, Anglesey 14
3 Castell Bach, Caernarfon 18
4 Crow’s Nest Farm, Conwy 20
5 The Smallest House, Conwy 23
6 The Bodysgallen Obelisk, Conwy 26
7 Tan y Coed, Colwyn Bay 30
8 Castell Gwrych, Abergele 32
9 Talacre Lighthouse, Talacre 37
10 Dry Bridge Lodge, Holywell 41
11 Mynydd y Garreg Tower, Whitford 45
12 The Hallelujah Obelisk, Mold 49
13 Tyˆ Castell, Mold 53
14 Chirk Castle Gates 56
15 The Acton Screen, Wrexham 60
16 Clocaenog Forest Memorial, Denbighshire 66
17 Nantclwyd Rotunda, Rhuthun 69
18 Moel Fama’s Egyptian Temple, Rhuthun 72
19 Folly Castle, Plas Brondanw,
Carreg Llanfrothen 76
20 Portmeirion, Porthmadog 80
21 The Bryncir Tower, Cricieth 83
22 Fort Williamsburg, Glynllifon 87
23 Penrhyn Castle 91
24 Maenan Hall Gazebo, Llanrwst 96
25 ‘The Poem’ and the Pin Mill, Bodnant,
Colwyn Bay 99
26 Fishguard Fort 102
27 Trevor Tower, Llangollen 107
28 The Gothic Water Tower, Lake Vyrnwy 111
29 Rodney’s Pillar, Welshpool 115
30 Leighton Hall Gateway, Welshpool 120
31 The Wellington Monument, Aberystwyth 124
32 The Richard Green-Price Obelisk, Knighton 129
33 The Lewis Monument, New Radnor 134
34 Twˆr y Deri – Derry Ormond Tower, Lampeter 137
35 Cilwendeg Shell House, Cardigan 142
36 The Arch, Cwmystwyth 146
37 Abereiddi Tower, St David’s 151
38 Justinian’s House, St David’s 154
39 The Malakoff, St Ishmael 157
40 Palmerston’s Follies, Pembrokeshire 161
41 Orielton Banqueting Tower, Pembrokeshire 166
42 The Dolwilym Arch, Llanglydwen 170
43 The Picton Obelisk, Carmarthen 173
44 Paxton’s Tower, Llandeilo 180
45 Mail Coach Monument,
Sennybridge–Llandovery Road 184
46 Davies’ Stone, Llangadog–Brynaman Road 189
47 Penrice Folly Castle, Swansea 196
48 Prospect Tower, Swansea 199
49 Jersey Marine Tower, Swansea 203
50 Gnoll Belvedere, Neath 207
51 Dunraven Garden Tower, Bridgend 213
52 Roath Park Clock Tower, Cardiff 218
53 Dr Price’s Roundhouses, Pontypridd 225
54 Hy Brasail House, Merthyr Tudful 231
55 Nantyglo Roundhouses, Merthyr Tudful 235
56 The Folly Tower, Pontypool 241
57 The Shell Grotto, Pontypool 244
58 Clytha Castle, Abergavenny 247
59 John Renie’s Grave, Monmouth 251
60 The Kymin, Monmouth 254

In this book, Graham Watkins reveals the stories and histories of the most interesting follies in Wales. Discover who erected these strange buildings and why, what secrets lie hidden in their pasts, and how they have been treated over the years. For years, folly hunters have researched odd and bizarre buildings but never before have the secrets of so many Welsh follies been told so comprehensively and entertainingly in one book.

The author says, ‘Every folly has a tale to tell and researching them has been entertaining. Nearly all tell us something about the special people who built them, as if the follies themselves are a window into another age or world, one which is well worth exploring.’