Folly History
Folly History
The Folly is a stone tower, 16 feet square and 80 feet high, standing on Callow Hill, near Craven Arms in South Shropshire. It is a Grade II listed building and a much loved local landmark.
About Benjamin Flounders
About Benjamin Flounders
Benjamin Flounders was a man of remarkable energy and wide interests. He built Flounders Folly in 1838, largely from local stone.
Visiting Flounders’ Folly
Visiting Flounders’ Folly
Flounders’ Folly can be found by following a waymarked trail from the Discovery Centre in Craven Arms. There are a number of walks on public paths that can take in the Folly.
The Flounders’ Folly Trust
How to get to the folly...Off the A49 near Craven Arms, on the road from Lower Dinchope to Westhope.
Directions

Flounders’ Folly opening dates 2022

We plan to open Flounders’ Folly to visitors in 2022 on the days listed below.

Flounders’ Folly is the landmark stone tower standing 80 feet above Callow Hill, near Craven Arms, South Shropshire. The Folly is visible for miles around and provides visitors with spectacular views.

The tower itself is highly ventilated with fresh air throughout and the top is completely open. Entry will be limited to a group of up to 8 people at any one time and they must exit the tower before a further group can enter.

Entry to the Folly is free, but donations towards upkeep are always appreciated because any maintenance up there is costly. You can donate by visiting our GiveTap donation page https://gtap.uk/AYUHA1 o or by showing your phone camera the QR code below. Thank You in anticipation!

If parking at the Callow Hill entry, please park considerately and do not block farm gateways.

Opening dates and times are provisional and depend on the weather. Check back on this website nearer the time to ensure it will be open, or follow Flounders Folly on Facebook or @Flounders_Folly on Twitter.

– Seabury Salmon, Chair, Flounders’ Folly Trust

Flounders’ Folly Opening Dates for 2022

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A Cross of St George flag will be flying from the Folly when it is open. As the Folly is stewarded by volunteers, opening cannot be absolutely guaranteed.

Month Dates Times
January 2022 30th 11am-3pm
Feb 2022 27th 11am-3pm
March  2022 27th 11am-4pm
 April 2022 15th (Good Friday) 11am-4pm
18th (Easter Monday) 11am-4pm
  24th  11am-4pm
 May 2022 2nd (Bank Hol) 11am-4pm
29th 11am-4pm
 June 2022 2nd (Bank Hol)  11am-4pm
  26th 11am-4pm
July 2022 31st 11am-4pm
Aug 2022 28th 11am – 4pm
29th (Bank Hol) 11am – 4pm 
Sept 2022 25th  11am – 4pm
 Oct 2022 30th 11am – 3pm
 Nov 2022 27th 11am-3pm
Dec 2022 26th (Boxing Day) TBC

 

The nearest place to the folly to park is at the foot of Callow Hill on the road from Lower Dinchope to Westhope, SO 457854, from where there is a footpath to the Folly. Please park considerately.

Built in 1838 by Benjamin Flounders (hence the name), the Folly fell into disrepair in the 20th century but was restored in 2004-5 by the Flounders’ Folly Trust. It is now open to the public one day each month so people can climb to the viewing platform at the top of the 78 stairs and enjoy the wonderful views of the Malverns, the Black Mountains, Cader Idris and much much more. Specially commissioned illustrations that run round the viewing platform enable visitors to work out exactly what landmarks they are looking at in the landscape.

Video Flyby

Take a look at our Video Flyby by Tom Woodward