đ° Folly Tower Pontypool â A Tower of Strength (and the Occasional Sheep)
If youâve ever squinted up at the hills around Pontypool and spotted a lonely tower keeping watch, chances are youâve seen Folly Tower Pontypoolâa proper local legend perched above the valley. I took a wander up there recently with the camera, dodged a few curious cows, and came back with muddy boots and a bunch of photos (worth it).
Now, Iâm not one for history lecturesâbut I am a sucker for a strange tale and a good view. And Folly Towerâs got both.
đ What Is Folly Tower, Then?
Folly Tower is an octagonal stone tower, about 40ft tall and 1,000ft above sea level. Youâll find it just above Pontypool Park, quietly overseeing the Eastern Valley. Itâs whatâs known as a folly, which basically means a fancy structure that doesnât do much… other than look grand and confuse tourists.
The original tower went up in the late 1700s – built by local bigwig John Hanbury. The guy clearly liked a good view, and apparently it was trendy back then to build something impressive on the tallest point around. Folly Tower just missed the â1,000ft clubâ by two feet. Painful.
đ° A Bit More About Folly Tower
The Folly Tower was originally built in the 18th century by the Hanbury family, wealthy ironmasters who liked their hilltop views dramatic. Like most follies, it wasnât meant to serve a practical purpose â just to look impressive and give visitors somewhere to puff their way up to.
Standing around 40 feet tall, itâs basically a giant stone exclamation mark overlooking Pontypool. Sadly, it was demolished during WWII â the military feared it could be used as a landmark by German bombers targeting the nearby ordnance factory.
But the locals clearly missed it, because it was reconstructed in 1994, stone by stone, and itâs now one of the best-known landmarks in the area.
You canât usually go inside unless it’s open for a local event (worth checking in advance), but even from the outside, the towerâs pretty impressive â and the panoramic views from up there are honestly next level.
⨠Bonfires, Bombers, and a Bit of Drama
Over the years, the Folly became a favourite for locals. From school trips to Jubilee bonfires with 15,000 people showing up, it was basically the 1930s version of a festival site. But in WWII, someone up top decided the tower might help German bombers find their way to the munitions factory nearby – so down it came in 1940. Bit of a buzzkill.
𧹠Rebuilding the Dream
Fast-forward to the 1990s, and a bunch of legends (shout out CROFT Pontypool) decided to bring it back. They raised funds, used stone from an old school, and even buried a time capsule in the walls. By 1994, the tower was back – and Prince Charles himself came along to do the ribbon-cutting.
đ What Itâs Like Today
Getting there? Bit of a hike. Bit of a slog if itâs rained (spoiler: it probably has). But itâs totally worth it. The view is unreal – you can see for miles, sometimes across seven counties if you believe the locals. Just watch out for sheep, mud, and overexcited dogs. (Mine arenât allowed off-lead. They’ve got âlamb-chasing potential.â)
đˇ Why I Love Shooting Up There
The light hits differently at the top. You get these massive skies, shifting clouds, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Itâs quiet, tooâperfect spot to clear your head, snap a few moody pics, and maybe eat a cheeky sandwich you forgot to pack cutlery for.
𼞠How to Get to Folly Tower (Without Getting Lost or Chased by a Sheep)
If you fancy stretching your legs and seeing Folly Tower Pontypool in all its glory, thereâs a cracking little circular walk that takes you through Pontypool Park, past the weird and wonderful Shell Grotto, and finally up to the tower itself.
Itâs about six miles all in – not exactly Everest, but youâll want good boots and maybe a biscuit or two.
Hereâs how I usually tackle it:
đśââď¸ Start: Pontypool Active Living Centre
Kick things off at the leisure centre in Pontypool Park. Cross the bridge and head in past the main entrance. Wander along the broad driveway for a bit – just enjoy the park for now. When you get to the turn for the ski slope, ignore it (unless youâre planning a detour with a sledge).
About 100 yards later, take the next left onto a woodland path. Itâs a bit rough underfoot, but nothing too dramatic. That path soon opens into a wide sandstone track climbing steadily through the trees.
Youâll pass through a tunnel, come out onto a grassy clearing, and not long after, youâll spot the Shell Grotto perched up on the ridge.
đ Optional Detour: The Shell Grotto
This odd little circular building was built back in the 1790s, and itâs lined with shells, bones, and crystals. Itâs like a spooky fairy tale hideout – or maybe a goblin Airbnb. Worth a peek inside if itâs open.
Once youâve admired the grotto (or taken spooky selfies), head down the hill diagonally to the left. Go through a couple of gates and hang a left along the track.
This bitâs an easy stroll. Just keep following the ridge, and before long youâll see Folly Tower rising up ahead like something out of a Tolkien story.
đ° The Main Event: Folly Tower
Built in the 1700s by the Hanbury family (who clearly had a flair for dramatic hilltop structures), the Folly Tower doesnât actually do anything. No function. Just vibes. It was knocked down during WWII so it wouldnât help enemy bombers, but thankfully they rebuilt it in the â90s and itâs been watching over Pontypool ever since.
Views from the top? Unreal. You can see across several counties on a clear day. You might even spot some cows guarding the place like itâs their personal Airbnb.
đł Carrying On
From the tower, carry on along the path until you reach a small car park and lane. Turn right here and follow the road for a short stretch. When it ends at a gate, take the sandstone track down into the woods (signposted Mamhilad via the Roman Road). Itâs a bit bumpy underfoot – go slow and steady.
đś Canal Stroll
At the bottom, hang a left and walk along the quiet lane until you hit the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Cross the bridge and drop down onto the towpath on the right-hand side.
Now itâs smooth sailing (well, walking) for the next few miles. The canal winds through some lovely scenery – sometimes open and airy, sometimes tucked in under a canopy of trees.
Eventually, youâll cross an aqueduct over the Afon Lwyd (which feels a bit like walking on water if youâre not paying attention).
đ The Finish
Right after the aqueduct, youâll see Bridge 52. Cross here, swing through the picnic area, and head back towards the main road. Use the pedestrian crossing (donât play Frogger with traffic), then nip left through the grand old Pontymoile Gates.
Youâll rejoin the parkâs main drive, which loops you back to where you startedâmuddy, satisfied, and probably ready for a brew.
đ Summary
- Distance: About 6 miles
- Terrain: One uphill, one downhill, lots of lovely flat canal
- Highlights: Shell Grotto, Folly Tower, cow cameos, canal views
- Bonus tip: Pack snacks. Always snacks.
And if you’re into a bit of moody storytelling, donât miss The Lonely Shepherd Legend Poemâinspired by this very landscape. Bit haunting, but in the best way.
đž Planning a Visit?
A few tips:
- Wear decent boots. Trust me.
- Bring a coat, even if itâs July. That wind doesnât care.
- Mind the livestock and keep dogs on a lead.
- Don’t rush. Take your time, take it all in, and maybe take a flask.
đ¤ People Also Ask: Folly Tower Edition
Now, if youâre anything like me, youâve stood looking at the Folly Tower and thought, âNice view… but whatâs this all about then?â Well, you’re not alone. Hereâs a little FAQ-style ramble through some of the things folks tend to wonder:
What is the purpose of a folly tower?
Honestly? Not much. A folly tower like this one wasnât built to store sheep, defend a castle, or even keep beer cool. Itâs just there to look good and impress visitors. Bit of a status symbol, really. Pure architectural decoration â like a garden gnome, but massive and made of stone.
Why is it called a folly?
The word “folly” comes from the idea that building something with no real purpose is, well… a bit foolish. Back in the day, landowners loved sticking fancy towers and mock ruins on their estates just to show they could. Pointless? Maybe. Stylish? Definitely.
What does folly mean in architecture?
In architecture, a folly is a decorative building â often eccentric or whimsical â that doesnât serve a practical function. They’re built to catch the eye, stir up a bit of conversation, and maybe make your mates jealous. Think of it as 18th-century bling.
Who built the Folly Tower?
The original Folly Tower was knocked up in the 18th century by the Hanbury family â wealthy ironmasters who liked a good view and had cash to splash. The version we see today was rebuilt in the 1990s after the original got taken down during WWII. Apparently, the military didnât want it giving away secrets to German bombers.
What is the history of Pontypool Folly?
Pontypool’s Folly Tower has been through a fair bit. Originally built in the 1700s as a posh viewing spot, it was demolished during the war for security reasons. But locals missed it, so it was lovingly rebuilt and reopened in 1994. These days, itâs one of the townâs most recognisable landmarks â and well worth the walk.
What is Pontypool famous for?
Aside from the Folly Tower and some pretty cracking views, Pontypoolâs got a fair bit of history. It was a major player in the iron industry, home to the Hanbury family, and even has a claim to fame with Pontypool Japanware â a fancy enamelled tinware from the 18th century. Oh, and of course, itâs got cracking walks, a ski slope, and the best park for a dog walk or a quiet moment.
đ Final Thoughts
The Folly Tower Pontypool isnât just a lump of old stone. Itâs a proper character. Itâs stood through centuries of weather, war, and Welsh weirdnessâand now it’s waiting at the top of the hill for your next adventure (and maybe a biscuit).
