The Folly

Heritage Site in Berkshire Vale of White Horse

England

The Folly

Portwell Bench on an Autumn Afternoon Faringdon makes the most of its limited public spaces in the town centre. The cafe tables by the Portwell Bench are a very pleasant place to sit out under the trees. The bench itself, with its diver sculpture, commemorate an event involving local aristocrat Lord Berners, the artist Salvador Dali, and a diving suit. The full story is with Vieve Forward's picture <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4433915">SU2895 : Portwell bench, Faringdon</a>
The inscription is a remark by Lord Berners "Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness"
More about the diver on <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.axisweb.org/p/timothyleonardshutter/workset/209982-the-deep-sea-diver/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.axisweb.org/p/timothyleonardshutter/workset/209982-the-deep-sea-diver/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Portwell Bench on an Autumn Afternoon Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

The Folly, located in Berkshire, England, is a renowned heritage site that attracts visitors from across the globe. Situated amidst the picturesque countryside, this historic building holds great significance in the architectural and cultural history of the region.

Originally built in the late 18th century, The Folly was designed by the famous architect Sir John Soane. It is a stunning example of the Georgian style, characterized by its symmetrical facade, grand proportions, and elegant detailing. The building's exterior features a combination of red brick and white stucco, giving it a distinctive and captivating appearance.

Once serving as a country retreat for the wealthy, The Folly has now been transformed into a museum that showcases the rich heritage and traditions of the area. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, artwork, and historical memorabilia, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

Inside The Folly, visitors can explore various rooms, each meticulously restored to capture the essence of its former glory. The grand drawing rooms, with their ornate plasterwork and original fireplaces, provide a sense of opulence and refinement. Additionally, the museum organizes regular exhibitions and events, further enhancing the visitor experience and promoting cultural exchange.

The Folly is set within sprawling grounds, which include beautifully manicured gardens and a serene lake. These outdoor spaces offer visitors the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings while immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the estate.

With its architectural splendor, cultural significance, and stunning surroundings, The Folly is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and those seeking a unique and enriching experience in Berkshire.

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The Folly Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.657/-1.573 or Grid Reference SU2995. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Portwell Bench on an Autumn Afternoon Faringdon makes the most of its limited public spaces in the town centre. The cafe tables by the Portwell Bench are a very pleasant place to sit out under the trees. The bench itself, with its diver sculpture, commemorate an event involving local aristocrat Lord Berners, the artist Salvador Dali, and a diving suit. The full story is with Vieve Forward's picture <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4433915">SU2895 : Portwell bench, Faringdon</a>
The inscription is a remark by Lord Berners "Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness"
More about the diver on <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.axisweb.org/p/timothyleonardshutter/workset/209982-the-deep-sea-diver/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.axisweb.org/p/timothyleonardshutter/workset/209982-the-deep-sea-diver/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Portwell Bench on an Autumn Afternoon
Faringdon makes the most of its limited public spaces in the town centre. The cafe tables by the Portwell Bench are a very pleasant place to sit out under the trees. The bench itself, with its diver sculpture, commemorate an event involving local aristocrat Lord Berners, the artist Salvador Dali, and a diving suit. The full story is with Vieve Forward's picture SU2895 : Portwell bench, Faringdon The inscription is a remark by Lord Berners "Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness" More about the diver on LinkExternal link
Sitting in the Sun, Faringdon Like so many places, Faringdon town centre is plagued by through traffic, but even so, the pleasant old buildings and good use of the limited space available make it an agreeable place to sit out on a sunny afternoon.
Sitting in the Sun, Faringdon
Like so many places, Faringdon town centre is plagued by through traffic, but even so, the pleasant old buildings and good use of the limited space available make it an agreeable place to sit out on a sunny afternoon.
The Bell Hotel Public House in Faringdon.
The Bell Hotel
Public House in Faringdon.
Faringdon Hill View from Faringdon Hill in the rain.
Faringdon Hill
View from Faringdon Hill in the rain.
Faringdon : The Folly Grade II listed folly built in 1935 to a design by architect Lord Gerald Wellesley for Lord Berners of Faringdon House - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048457?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048457?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Faringdon : The Folly
Grade II listed folly built in 1935 to a design by architect Lord Gerald Wellesley for Lord Berners of Faringdon House - LinkExternal link.
Faringdon : town house, London Street Grade II listed - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/.1048433?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/.1048433?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Faringdon : town house, London Street
Grade II listed - LinkExternal link.
Faringdon : London Street
Faringdon : London Street
Faringdon : Church of St Lawrence Grade I listed - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1199147?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1199147?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Faringdon : Church of St Lawrence
Grade I listed - LinkExternal link.
Faringdon : former vicarage Grade II listed old vicarage - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048451?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048451?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Faringdon : former vicarage
Grade II listed old vicarage - LinkExternal link.
Faringdon : former market hall Grade II* listed - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048440?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1048440?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>. The building has performed a variety of functions during its history - for example, market hall, town hall, magistrates' court, fire engine house, library and war memorial - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/faringdon-war-memorial/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/faringdon-war-memorial/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Faringdon : former market hall
Grade II* listed - LinkExternal link. The building has performed a variety of functions during its history - for example, market hall, town hall, magistrates' court, fire engine house, library and war memorial - LinkExternal link.
Roundabout on the A420, Faringdon
Roundabout on the A420, Faringdon
Faringdon Telephone Exchange (1) Located at 26 Marlborough Street SN7 7JP, this TE dates from 1970 and has the code SSFGN. It provides telephone and broadband services to approximately 3,245 residential and 209 non-residential premises in Faringdon, Great Coxwell, Little Coxwell, Littleworth and the surrounding area. A yellow grit salt bin and two dark green BT cabinets can be seen in front of this TE.
Faringdon Telephone Exchange (1)
Located at 26 Marlborough Street SN7 7JP, this TE dates from 1970 and has the code SSFGN. It provides telephone and broadband services to approximately 3,245 residential and 209 non-residential premises in Faringdon, Great Coxwell, Little Coxwell, Littleworth and the surrounding area. A yellow grit salt bin and two dark green BT cabinets can be seen in front of this TE.
Faringdon Telephone Exchange (2) Taken from Pulling Close, this photo shows the back and side of this TE with white BT warning notices on the corner. The numbering range of this TE is (01367) 24xxxx, the (01367) referring to the Faringdon group of eight TEs. These are pictured at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://telephone-exchanges.org.uk/exchanges/faringdon-exchanges/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://telephone-exchanges.org.uk/exchanges/faringdon-exchanges/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>. A BT vehicle can be seen parked by the TE to the left of the photo.
Faringdon Telephone Exchange (2)
Taken from Pulling Close, this photo shows the back and side of this TE with white BT warning notices on the corner. The numbering range of this TE is (01367) 24xxxx, the (01367) referring to the Faringdon group of eight TEs. These are pictured at LinkExternal link. A BT vehicle can be seen parked by the TE to the left of the photo.
Farringdon Church United Church, Farringdon.
Farringdon Church
United Church, Farringdon.
Highworth Road Highworth Road in Faringdon.
Highworth Road
Highworth Road in Faringdon.
The Folly, Faringdon
The Folly, Faringdon
Old Town Hall, Faringdon
Old Town Hall, Faringdon
Faringdon - Cornmarket Corn Exchange (Old Council Chambers building built 1863) on the Cornmarket in Faringdon town centre. Adjacent to it here (2023) is an Acacia UK charity shop.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Faringdon - Cornmarket
Corn Exchange (Old Council Chambers building built 1863) on the Cornmarket in Faringdon town centre. Adjacent to it here (2023) is an Acacia UK charity shop. LinkExternal link
Show me another place!

The Folly is located at Grid Ref: SU2995 (Lat: 51.657, Lng: -1.573)

Administrative County: Oxfordshire

District: Vale of White Horse

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///narrates.sounds.styled. Near Faringdon, Oxfordshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.657,-1.573
Folly Hill
Alt Name: Faringdon Hill
Ele: 136
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 51.6589615/-1.5714621
Bus Stop
Landsdown Road Stop
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 340000251STA
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Landsdown Road Stop
Naptan Indicator: Windy Ridge Corner
Naptan Landmark: Outside 22
Naptan NaptanCode: oxfajpgm
Naptan Street: Landsdown Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.6567543/-1.5790633
Stanford Road Stop
Naptan AtcoCode: 340001149OPP
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan BusStopType: CUS
Naptan CommonName: Stanford Road Stop
Naptan Indicator: Opposite
Naptan Landmark: o/s 73
Naptan NaptanCode: oxfadapw
Naptan Street: London Street
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.6582665/-1.5795119
Bus Stop
Stanford Road Stop
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 340001149OUT
Naptan Bearing: SW
Naptan CommonName: Stanford Road Stop
Naptan Indicator: Corner
Naptan Landmark: opp 73
Naptan NaptanCode: oxfadapt
Naptan Street: London Street
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.6581149/-1.5798748
Sudbury Court Hotel
Tourism: hotel
Lat/Long: 51.658445/-1.5769252
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Crossing Markings: no
Lat/Long: 51.6548178/-1.5680452
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 09:00; Sa 07:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: SN7 111D
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.6581493/-1.5795945
Restaurant
Restaurant 56
Lat/Long: 51.658654/-1.5772064
Faringdon Skate Park
Access: yes
Leisure: pitch
Lit: yes
Sport: skateboard
Surface: concrete
Lat/Long: 51.6546353/-1.5691011
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6553758/-1.5728903
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6556653/-1.572842
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6565056/-1.5746525
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6566171/-1.5749824
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6565006/-1.5746042
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 51.6560164/-1.5763906
Waste Basket
Waste: dog_excrement
Lat/Long: 51.6575759/-1.5781002
Waste Basket
Lat/Long: 51.655454/-1.5792542
Waste Basket
Waste: dog_excrement
Lat/Long: 51.6560736/-1.5713733
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Crossing Markings: no
Lat/Long: 51.6548518/-1.5681568
Cromwell's Cannon
Artwork Type: sculpture
Material: wood
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 51.658623/-1.5721885
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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