The Folly Flâneuse confesses she has never visited Broadwood’s Folly in Surrey, and although she seldom writes about buildings she has never seen, the photo below explains the interest. Finding an English sparkling wine named after a folly was just too good an opportunity to miss in this festive season.

So before the drinking begins a little about Broadwood’s Tower on Box Hill courtesy of Andrew Wright, Countryside Manager for the National Trust, who also provided the lovely images of the folly.

The Tower was built by Thomas Broadwood of the famous piano manufacturing family. In 1813 he was given the impressive title of ‘Musical Instrument Maker in Ordinary to His Majesty’ and in the following year he bought the Juniper Hill estate near Dorking in Surrey. Soon after he leased a further plot of land in an elevated position overlooking the estate, and here he built this prospect  tower with panoramic views.

The tower is now in the care of the National Trust. It was stabilised in recent years after the removal of a holm oak which had grown from a seedling within the roofless tower.

Throughout 2019 The Folly Flâneuse has travelled far and wide to see follies and garden ornaments and visited countless archives, museums and galleries to gather information. But this post added a new destination to the list. On a cold, damp and dark November afternoon The Folly Flâneuse could be found in Aldi … which retails this wine* from the Denbies Estate below the tower..

The Folly Flâneuse is taking a short break and will be back in January. Wishing you all the very best for the festive season and health and happiness in 2020. Cheers!

To visit the tower https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill/features/all-change-at-broadwoods-folly-box-hill

And there’s a You Tube video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6uZp0Vw5mQ

*Actually local branches didn’t, so the festive fizz was purchased online.