Flounders' Folly facts for kids
Flounders' Folly is a tall tower built in 1838. You can find it on Callow Hill, near Craven Arms in Shropshire, England. This tower is about 80 feet (24 m) high and 16 feet (4.9 m) wide. It stands out on the skyline and can be easily seen from the Cardiff–Crewe railway line and the busy A49 road. Many people enjoy walking up the hill to see the tower. It is mentioned in many walking guides for Shropshire.
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History of Flounders' Folly
Why Was Flounders' Folly Built?
The tower was built in 1838 by a man named Benjamin Flounders (1768–1846). He might have built it to mark the boundaries between four large land estates. Another idea is that he built it to celebrate his 70th birthday.
The Tower Falls Apart
After Benjamin Flounders died, the tower slowly started to fall apart. It was in a very open and windy spot on Callow Hill. By the 1980s, it was in a dangerous condition. The decorative top of the tower even collapsed in 1987. Over the years, the tower was owned by different people, including the actress Julie Christie for a short time.
Bringing the Folly Back to Life
In 2001, a group called The Flounders Folly Trust bought the tower. People became interested in saving it, and money was raised from places like The Heritage Lottery Fund. A big project to fix the tower started in 2001 and was finished by 2005.
When the tower reopened, HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, flew in by helicopter. She officially declared the restoration complete. Now, the tower is open to the public at least once a month. From the top, you can see amazing views of the Shropshire Hills AONB, Wenlock Edge, the Long Mynd, the Clee Hills, and even parts of Wales like the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.
Fun Stories About Flounders' Folly
There are some old stories, or folklore, about Flounders' Folly that people in the area like to tell. One story says that Mr. Flounders built the tower so he could see his ships sailing in and out of the Bristol Channel or the Mersey river. However, neither of these places can actually be seen from the tower because of hills in between.
Another part of the story says that when he found out he couldn't see his ships, he either jumped off the tower and died, or he got very angry and shouted, "Take it down!" This might have meant the tower itself, or the high ground blocking his view.
Some people also say he wanted to see his house in Ludlow from the tower. But there are no records that he owned a house in Ludlow. He often visited Ludlow and preferred to stay at local inns. Also, there are no records that he owned ships or had business in Liverpool or Bristol. He was originally from the north-east of England, near Stockton-on-Tees. These stories are just fun local legends!
