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Folly Tower (Pontypool)

Folly Tower (Pontypool)

Highlight • Monument

Folly Tower (Pontypool)

Name: Folly Tower (Pontypool)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 19 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

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Location: Trevethin, South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Folly Tower (Pontypool)

4.1

(13)

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1. Folly Tower (Pontypool) – Pontymoile Basin loop from Trosnant

10.0km

02:52

220m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(1)

hikers

2. Folly Tower (Pontypool) loop from Pontymoile

7km

02:03

180m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.0

(3)

hikers

3. Folly Tower (Pontypool) – Mynydd Garn Wen Trig Point loop from Trosnant

19.2km

05:24

370m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

Tips

JEANETTE

July 25, 2020

The precise date of construction is unknown but it is generally thought that the original tower was built around 1765 to 1770 by John Hanbury, a local landowner and ironmaster who owned Pontypool Park. The local name of The Folly was in use as far back as 1865 when the Free Press of Monmouthshire described it as:

"...an elevated spot where a Tower (formerly a Roman watch-tower) was many years since rebuilt as an observatory and which is popularly known as 'The Folly'."

It is thought the tower was renovated around 1831 by Capel Hanbury Leigh. This date is derived from a keystone from the doorway bearing an '1831' inscription. The tower provided a vantage point over the local area and quickly became popular and a well known feature of the area.

In May 1935 an estimated 15 to 20,000 people gathered at the Folly Tower to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V with the lighting of a bonfire.

However, the folly, being open to the elements, began to fall into a state of disrepair during the late 1930s. Pontypool Park Estate Office attached notices to the structure informing visitors of the potential dangers of falling masonry. Its draw on the locals though remained unstinted and local poet and illustrator Myfanwy Haycock penned the following verse in 1937:

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Details

Informations

Elevation 280 m

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Tuesday 28 October

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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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Location: Trevethin, South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Folly Tower (Pontypool)

1. Folly Tower (Pontypool) – Pontymoile Basin loop from Trosnant

2. Folly Tower (Pontypool) loop from Pontymoile

3. Folly Tower (Pontypool) – Mynydd Garn Wen Trig Point loop from Trosnant

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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