A folly is a building made for decoration set in a park or garden.
These miniature buildings often copied the style of castles or classical temples, Chinese or other ‘exotic’ patterns.
Sir George created 28 follies that ranged from a Greek style ‘temple’ and statue of the Greek goddess Diana, to a Turkish Teahouse, a Shell House and pebbled path and Beacon folly on the crest of the hill in which to take tea as well as a Chinese style tea house by the lake.
You can still see some of them today if you walk the Follies Trail.
Sir George created a set of notes to guide his guests around the Pleasure Ground starting with the Gothic Library and leading them folly by folly around the lake. We're planning to record these and share them with you soon.
One of his favourite places to be was The Lookout, a folly set near the remains of the house that you can still see. From here people could sit, read books and look out across the parklands.
Where's your favourite place to sit?
