Are there many good 'follies' in the UK? If so, where?

I've visited The Forbidden Corner at Leyburn in North Yorkshire and thought it was fantastic, but knowing many of the 'surprises' there, you can never really experience the first time joy again.

Are there any other similar follies around the country, and if so, where? If you have been, were they any good?

Supplement from 07/02/2008 03:04pm:

This is the one that I've been to - a bit different from some of the others listed, and not on your site, Heels. Fantastic day out - like you'd imagine Wonderland to be, with all sort of nonsense bits and piece all over. My favourite is the illusionary tunnel...

http://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk/ copy

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Asked in follies, england, travel asked on: 07/02/2008 02:12pm

closed on: 07/09/2008 02:12pm

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Hiheels

Rank: Mileva Einstein (18,130) | travel (18), England (9)

4 minutes after the question was opened (07/02/2008 02:16pm)

You've hit on a secret love of mine here Duffmeister http://www.follytowers.com/ copy

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:19pm:

The one at Stourhead's lined with shells and Alfred's Tower is one of the finest erections you'll see.

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:28pm:

Ooh and I'd love to go to Biddulph Grange Gardens too (very slightly off topic here), but it's in Staffordshire...a looong way away :o(

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Rank: Albert Einstein (13,941) | travel (40), England (26), tourism (7)

14 minutes after the question was opened (07/02/2008 02:25pm)

There are thousands!

Here is one of my favourites - called Sevendroog Castle. It isn't a castle - and Sevendroog is apparently somewhere in India - it was built by some raving English loony in the middle of some woods near Blackheath in London.

It just sits there. Useless but thought provoking - which is precisely what all follies should be.

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:29pm:

That should have been Severndroog Castle - Severndroog with an R rather than Sevendroog.

The National Trust manages a shed-load full of follies. Google advance - key in - National Trust folly.

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:32pm:

Forgot to mention that Severndroog Castle is also triangular.

Why triangular? I suppose if you are going to buld a folly you might as well go all the way.

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:49pm:

Sorry - got a new laptop and the mousepad is so sensitive it posts a comment to Lycos if I as much as look at it.

Was in the middle of editing - should have been West Wycombe not High Wycombe - also known as the West Wycombe Caves.

Supplement from 07/02/2008 02:54pm:

I give up! This laptop is barmy! At least the pic is the one I wanted to show you.

I was trying to say: If it is 'cave follies' you are particularly interested in, take a look at the Hell Fire caves at West Wycombe.

Also known as the West Wycombe Caves and as Sir Francis's Folly...

Rumour, mystery, and wild allegations of drunkenness and debauchery surround the history of the 'Hell-Fire' caves - a labyrinth of caverns and tunnels, which runs a quarter of a mile into the hill under West Wycombe Park.

The caves were excavated in the 1750s for the 2nd Baronet Sir Francis Dashwood of West Wycombe Park, but opinion differs as to the reason.

You can read more on

www.bbc.co.uk/.../england/beds_herts_bucks/