Welcome

Gathering the Jewels features over 30,000 images of objects, books, letters, aerial photographs and other items from museums, archives and libraries throughout Wales.

Search the map

Thumbnail image of Wales,

New to Gathering the Jewels is G.I.S. A geographical search facility that will enable searching by location and place name.

Topics

Home » The Domestic Sphere » Houses and homes » Follies

Displaying results 1 to 6 out of 11

Page 1

Page 2

Next >

  • Castell Coch (lit. 'Red Castle'), near Tongwynlais, was the country retreat of John Crichton Stuart (1847-1900), the 3rd Marquess of Bute. It was built during the 1870s on the foundations of an earlier medieval structure. The building was designed by the architect William Burges who was also hired by the Marquis to transform Cardiff Castle during the same period. Both buildings are noted for their dramatic and ornate interiors.
Aerial photograph of Castell Coch, 1999
  • The tower in Pontypool Park was probably built in the early 18th century, by the Hanbury family. In the latter part of the 18th century it was used as a summer house and later a gazebo. Its prominent position commands striking views across the Black Mountains, Severn valley and over to Somerset, and it is in turn very visible from far and wide. It is this high level of visibility which turned out to be the tower's downfall in 1940 at which time it was demolished to prevent it being used as a reference point for German bombers. It was rebuilt in the early 1990s.
The Folly, Pontypool, photographed for the Royal National Eisteddfod, Pontypool, 1924
  • The grotto in Pontypool Park was probably built in the late 18th century, although its hey-day came in the early 19th century when the shell decoration for which its interior is now famous was added. The identity of the shell decorator remains something of a mystery. It is possible that Molly Hanbury Leigh was responsible since she is known to have had a shell collection. On the other hand it has also been suggested that the grotto was decorated as part of an employment scheme in 1829-30. The highlight of the grotto's history came in 1882 when the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) picnicked at the site during a hunting trip. It fell into decline during the 20th century, only to be restored in 1991. Today it is used as a venue for story telling, poetry reading and music recitals. The majority of shells were British mussels, cockles, periwinkles and limpets, accompanied by a few examples of exotic species such as pearl oyster, conch and cowrie. Source: Pontypool Museum (nd)
The shell grotto, Pontypool [image 1 of 5]
Nercwys Hall, Nercwys: 'Views End' folly, 1942
  • Castell Coch (lit. 'Red Castle'), near Tongwynlais, was the country retreat of John Crichton Stuart (1847-1900), the 3rd Marquess of Bute. It was built during the 1870s on the foundations of an earlier medieval structure. The building was designed by the architect William Burges who was also hired by the Marquis to transform Cardiff Castle during the same period. Both buildings are noted for their dramatic and ornate interiors.
The drawing room, Castell Coch, near Tongwynlais [image 1 of 2]
  • The shell hermitage in Pontypool Park is probably the best preserved grotto in Wales. It was built in the 18th century for John Hanbury, although the shell decoration was probably added later by Molly Hanbury Leigh (John's daughter-in-law). There are, however, other stories regarding the origins of the grotto. One suggests that the grotto was created as an early job creation scheme to alleviate unemployment in the area in the 1820s. The shell grotto was restored in the early 1990s.
Shell Hermitage, Pontypool Park