Favourite Follies

Ivy Folly

Ivy Folly in Milland, West Sussex is my favourite folly of all. It was built by the famous painter and cartoonist Gerald Scarfe as a personal project following his presentation of a BBC documentary "Scarfe's Follies" in the late 80s. The quirkiness and eccentricities of folly building appealed to Scarfe and eventually Ivy folly was born. It was originally built as a round tower but there was obviously a camel desperate to get out of Scarfe's imagination and into the world.

With the addition of trellis and the "hump" it is one of the most charming and inspired follies of modern times. I love it to bits!

Hiorne Tower

West Sussex boasts another older interesting folly, the triangular shaped Hiorne Tower in Arundel Park, Arundel. It was built in 1787 by the architect Francis Hiorne. He was anxious to get the contract from the 11th Duke - Charles Howard, to rebuild the neighbouring castle and agreed to build the folly as a 'test' structure. Sadly Hiorne died shortly after it was completed. Still he would be happy to know that his name has lived on through the folly, which in itself is unusual as most follies are named after the families or landowners who commissioned them.

The spirit of a young girl haunts the tower. She is reputed to have thrown herself from the top in desperation after a failed love affair. She has looked after it well as it is in remarkably good condition for it's age. Even the leaded windows are still intact.

It's a steep climb up the hill to get to it but it is worth it, plus there is also the chance of seeing racehorses from a nearby stable exercising on the track which runs alongside the tower.