The Folly Flâneuse is busy pottering around the country in search of temples and towers to fill these pages. Meanwhile, here is a brief look at two very different landscape features: one on a miniature scale and one monumental, one in a tranquil English garden, and one on a Bulgarian hilltop.

Alan and Claire Terrill found the restored Shell House at Staunton Country Park (above, featured here in January 2022) so delightful that Alan decided to build a miniature version for their tortoises. Finding one element of the design a little tricky, he contacted John Malaiperuman, the Conservation Architect responsible for the restoration, who was happy to give advice.

Unlike the original, which had a shell-decorated interior, Alan covered the exterior of the tortoise house with shells, including shell pinnacles as the perfect finishing touch. The tortoise house joins the other jolly follies and features in Alan and Claire’s Shropshire garden. And as you can see, the testudinal tenants are settling in nicely. To see the whole story visit the updated original post https://thefollyflaneuse.com/the-shell-house-leigh-park-havant-hampshire/

Writer and historian Rosemary Hill got in touch with news of a fascinating restoration project in Bulgaria. The Buzludzha Memorial House is a dramatic hilltop monument with a long and complicated history interrupted by unrest and political change.

Building a landmark on this spot was first discussed in the last years of the 19th century, but the rapidly changing political and economic climate meant that the curious structure shown here was not erected until the last quarter of the 20th century. Sadly, the building flourished for only a short period before it was abandoned and much of the usable materials looted. A major project to restore the monument is now underway.

As Rosemary wrote, it is impressive ‘that they have found the time and imagination to think constructively about the past when history is moving so fast and dangerously around them in the present.’

The Folly Flâneuse can’t do justice to this fascinating structure in just a couple of paragraphs, so do read more on the project’s excellent website:  http://www.buzludzhaproject.com/mc_cid=bc6d8ac050&mc_eid=UNIQID#welcome

Thank you for reading. The Folly Flâneuse will be back with another folly feature next week. Please scroll down to the comments box to share any thoughts.