Wimpole's Folly facts for kids
Wimpole's Folly is a special kind of building called a folly. It looks like the old ruins of a castle, but it was actually built that way on purpose! You can find it on the huge grounds of Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, England.
This unique building was created to look like a medieval castle that had fallen into ruin over time. It's a fun and interesting part of the beautiful Wimpole Estate.
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What is a Folly?
A folly is a building that looks like an old ruin or something from a fairy tale. But it's not really old or broken down. People built follies in the past just for fun or to make their big gardens look more interesting. They often look like castles, towers, or even ancient temples.
Wimpole's Folly was designed to add a touch of mystery and history to the landscape. It makes visitors wonder about its past, even though it was built to look old.
Building Wimpole's Folly
The idea for Wimpole's Folly came from Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke. He owned Wimpole Hall in the 1700s. The Earl wanted something special for his estate.
He asked a famous architect named Sanderson Miller to design the folly in 1751. Miller was known for creating these kinds of pretend ruins. Later, in 1769, another well-known landscape designer, Capability Brown, helped build it. The folly was mostly finished by the mid-1770s.
It's amazing to think that two important designers worked together on this project!
Exploring the Folly
Wimpole's Folly is quite big. It stretches for about 200 feet (about 60 meters) long. It even has a four-storey tower built in the Gothic style. Gothic architecture is known for its pointed arches and tall, grand designs.
The folly is made to look like real ruins. You can see details that make it seem like parts have fallen away over hundreds of years. It's a great place to explore and imagine what a real medieval castle might have looked like.
Visiting Wimpole's Folly
Today, Wimpole's Folly and Wimpole Hall are owned by the National Trust. The National Trust is a charity in the UK that looks after special places. They protect historic homes, gardens, and natural sites so everyone can enjoy them.
Both the folly and Wimpole Hall are open to the public. This means you can visit and explore this fascinating pretend castle ruin for yourself! It's a fantastic example of how people used to decorate their estates with unique and imaginative buildings.
Images for kids
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Mock semi-ruined castle designed by Miller, in the grounds of Wimpole Hall
