Comments on: The Shell-House, Leigh Park, Havant, Hampshire

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 27 May 2023 20:56:25 +0000

In reply to Edmund (Ed) Stone. Hello Ed. Yes top marks to the local authority and to the Friends for a great achievement

By: Edmund (Ed) Stone

Edmund (Ed) Stone — Sat, 27 May 2023 18:01:00 +0000

Sorry for delay responding to this article. I was so pleased to read about the Staunton folly’s. Hampshire County Council have done so much more in the last year or so, especially considering Covid restrictions etc.. Check out “Friends of Staunton Country Park” for more updates etc.

By: The Ruins, Sydenham Hill, London – The Folly Flaneuse

The Ruins, Sydenham Hill, London – The Folly Flaneuse — Fri, 05 May 2023 11:17:42 +0000

[…] David Henry Stone’s cousin was the Portsmouth MP William Henry Stone, who came into possession of follies when he bought Leigh Park (now Staunton Country Park) in Hampshire https://thefollyflaneuse.com/the-shell-house-leigh-park-havant-hampshire/ […]

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 12:21:46 +0000

In reply to James Arnott. Hello James. Yes, a fascinating man and a fascinating landscape, it deserves to be better known.

By: James Arnott

James Arnott — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 06:44:28 +0000

I must have missed this fascinating article when first published and first wrote about Staunton Park in my thesis on the ‘Uses and interpretation of Follies’ in 1991, whilst undertaking the Heritage Interpretation diploma at Strawberry Hill. In those days it was in a sorry state of repair, but now it is in the care of Hampshire Country Council who are gradually (and I mean gradually) restoring features in the park, although from your feature and comments above, it seems they still have a long way to go! The Gothic Library there is also worthy of note, as it stands as a separate structure (I believe it was once connected to the Regency House?) and again is in want of repair and restoration.
The site is sadly prone to much vandalism, as it now sits in the middle of the largest council estate in Europe, built after the Second World War, but there we are – it still survives as a testament to Sir George, a fascinating man!

By: Miniature and monumental – The Folly Flaneuse

Miniature and monumental – The Folly Flaneuse — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:08:44 +0000

[…] 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/ […]

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 06:58:55 +0000

In reply to V. Snow. Hello and thank you for the very kind comments. I am delighted that you found my post, and enjoyed it so much. It is a lovely building, and so pleasing to know it has been restored and secure. It would be great to see other buildings in the park brought back to life too, but as ever I suspect funds are not easy to find. The mini version as a tortoise house is wonderful!

By: V. Snow

V. Snow — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 20:30:04 +0000

Thank you so much for an absolutely wonderfully written article on what is my favourite existing folly in Leigh Park Gardens. I am a rather enthusiastic and obsessed with the place local, and I cannot tell you how overjoyed I was when I found they were restoring this! My only wish was that the other follies remained, I would have loved to see the Turkish Kiosk or the Chinese Summer House in all their glory. They have also uncovered what remains of the Chinese Fort on one of the little islands in the lake. I was rather hoping that would be restored too, but it looks doubtful.

And as for the miniature Shell House for the tortoises, I absolutely adore it!

Thank you once again!

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:51:24 +0000

In reply to Gand. Good morning Gand. I see you Havant missed the chance of a bit of wordplay!

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:50:01 +0000

In reply to John Malaiperuman. Hello John. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post, and thanks again for introducing me to this lovely little building.