Follies: Woodstock and Glynllifon
The construction of follies became fashionable among the aristocracy in the 18th century when garden design was considered to be a form of art. Follies were placed in gardens as “eye-catchers” and many gardens had a selection of follies. Follies vary in shape, in size and in the materials used to construct them. Many are unique and are based on the imagination of the architect while others reflect influences, thought and fashion at the time such as Roman and Greek architecture and Far Eastern themes.
There are a number of curious structures found in the grounds of Woodstock. Some of these are follies. Follies are often bizarre structures that do not always have any definite purpose or practical value. Knox’s Bower could be considered as one such structure. It was originally built in the 1850s and was made from local timber and bamboo. It had a patterned cobbled floor and an open front with four round columns. Antlers were also used to decorate the folly. Knox’s Bower was most likely used by the Tighe family for tea parties. We can tell this from the broken china that was found on the ground close to the structure.
Sandford Castle is a rubble stone gothic folly and is located in the grounds of Woodstock estate, overlooking the river from its deeply wooded steep site. It is likely that the castle was constructed in the late 18th century. It is located above the riverside, just south of the Inistioge entrance into the demesne. The folly was built principally as a viewing platform over the Nore and looks onto Inistioge Bridge and the Nore Valley.
At Glynllifon there are many curious 19th century structures, some of them were built specifically to complement the romantic and wild scenery of the gardens. The Hermitage for example is a quaint octagonal shaped gothic style folly which was built around 1825. It is made of stone, and halved tree trunks have been placed at the corners of the structure give the illusion of supporting the roof. According to early plans the Hermitage was originally roofed with straw not slate, this would certainly have added to it’s rustic ‘look’. According to stories, the second Lord Newborough owner of Glynllifon estate at this time, employed a man to live as a hermit in the folly for a while, but the hermit was made redundant when he was caught drinking alcohol! Later on in the 19th century, the folly was used as a Chapel to hold the funeral services of family pets, this probably explains the coloured glass in some of the windows.
The Third Lord Newborough continued to add different structures to Glynllifon gardens when he became lord of the manor in 1831, the Mill Folly is one such example. This irregular rubble folly is built to resemble a ruined mill. It has picturesque pointed arches and a series of grotto-like spaced including two underground chambers. There was also a pool at the lower level originally and it’s outlet ran into the Afon Llifon under the stone bridge. The Third Lord Newborough and his wife had nine children, and it is thought that this folly was used as a play area by them! Later in the 19th century, the Mill Folly was adapted into a fernery by the Hon. F.G. Wynn.
Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments - Listed Building of Llandwrog
