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 2024

The Flounders’ Folly 2024 opening days are 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. It makes a great walk from several directions.

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 are footpaths to the Folly. Click the link here to see it on Google Maps:

52°27’48.2″N 2°48’02.1″W
app.goo.gl

38337159

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. Check our Facebook or X feeds for last-minute details. 

Month Dates Times
Jan 2024 28th 11am-3pm
Feb 2024 25th 11am-3pm
March  2024 29th (Good Friday) 11am-4pm
 April 2024 1st (Easter Bank Holiday Monday) 11am-4pm
28th 11am-4pm
 May 2024 26th  11am-4pm
27th (Bank Hol Mon) 11am-4pm
 June 2024 30th 11am-4pm
July 2024 28th 11am-4pm
Aug 2024 25th 11am – 4pm
26th (Bank Hol Mon) 11am – 4pm 
Sept 2024 29th 11am – 4pm
 Oct 2024 27th 11am – 3pm
 Nov 2024 24th 11am-3pm
Folly footpath map

Click to Enlarge

In high summer, some public footpaths can become overgrown and in wet and wintery weather they can be muddy or frozen. Please equip appropriately.

Flounders’ Folly was built in 1838 by Benjamin Flounders (hence the name). It 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.

The tower itself is highly ventilated and the top is completely open. Entry is limited to 8 people at any one time and they must exit before further people can enter.

Entry to the Folly is free, but donations towards upkeep are always appreciated. Maintenance of the tower is costly and we couldn’t keep it in good repair without your help. You can donate by visiting our GiveTap donation page https://gtap.uk/AYUHA1 o or by using the QR code below. Thank You in anticipation!

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

– Seabury Salmon, Chair, Flounders’ Folly Trust

Video Flyby

Take a look at our Video Flyby by Tom Woodward