Here are this year’s events – those at the top are organised by the Folly Fellowship, and those in the second block are events by other organizations that may be of interest. If you wish to order multiple tickets, there are some help tips here.
10 miles south west of Berlin, is dotted with royal palaces, follies and garden buildings, in particular Frederick the Great’s palace Sanssouci. We will try to see as many follies as possible!
Friday 27th – afternoon visit to Peacock Island – Lustschloss, gothic dairy and menagerie
Saturday 28th – Sanssouci park – pagoda, belvedere, Chinese tea house
Sunday 29th – Babelsberg and the New Garden – grotto, gothic library, Flatowturm
Monday 30th – morning walk to the Russian village and Ruinenberg
There are a lot of follies and the parks are large so there will be some walking, possibly up to 4 or 5 miles in a day, although shorter routes are possible. This is a ‘pay as you go’ trip, you pay for your accommodation and travel. The parks are free but there is a charge for entrance to the palaces and some of the follies. There will be an administration charge of £15 per person to cover organisational costs.
To register your interest and for further details contact Peter Godfrey pfgodfrey@gmail.com or 07974357351
We will visit Shugborough, near Stafford, in the morning and then Weston Park, near Telford, in the afternoon. Shugborough has an interesting range of follies – Tower of the Winds, Lanthorn of Demosthenes, Hadrian’s Arch, Chinese House, Doric Temple and The Ruin. At Weston Park there is the Roman Bridge, The Knoll Tower and the Temple of Dianna where we will have an exclusive view of the interior. Shugborough to Weston Park is 17 miles.
The cost is £12 for members, £14 for non members, this includes admission to Weston Park but not Shugborough. Shugborough is a National Trust property, free to NT members, £12 to non members. Tea is available at Shugborough but not included in this price.
Further details from: Peter Godfrey 0117 9087375
pfgodgfrey@gmail.com
The FF’s first ever visit to this picturesque region in North-West England, to be based in Ambleside in the South Lakes. Jonathan Holt has devised a fascinating tour to be conducted by minibus or the limited (3 cars maximum) option of following in your own car at a reduced rate. Minibus option limited to the first 16 takers. Highlights include:
The Bridge House, symbol of Ambleside
The Tower of Beauty & Friendship, Eller How
Claife Viewing Station: an artists’ viewpoint over Lake Windermere
John Longmire’s Folly, Wray Castle
Conishead Tower and Priory, the latter now the headquarters of the Buddhist Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre with its extravagantly decorated temple.
The Sir John Barrow Monument, Hoad Hill, Ulverston
The Dog Kennel, Coniston
Penrith Beacon
The Countess Pillar
Brantwood, the home of art critic and philosopher John Ruskin with its intriguing gardens.
The Larch Cottage Nurseries with its sham chapel, gatehouse, arches and amazing statuary.
…and to cap it all, a boat trip on Windermere!
Each day’s trip will depart from Ambleside, so staying close to the town is advised. No other place of pick-up is offered.
Minibus option – limited to 16 people: Members: £70, Non-members: £85
Price includes all entries, boat trip, fuel, services of chauffeur, but not food & drink.
Driving own car option: limited to 3 cars to accommodate 12+ people. Car sharing encouraged: Members £45, non-members £55
Price includes all entries and boat trip, but not food & drink.
Enquiries to jonathanholt3@gmail.com
This visit to Gunton Park in north west Norfolk will be on Sunday the 25th September. We will see the outside of Gunton Hall which was designed by Matthew Brettingham, the inside of a neoclassical Church St Andrew’s designed by Robert Adam, the outside of a couple of towers as well as a working Sawmill set within a restored parkland. The restoration of the parkland recently won a Georgian Group Architectural Award.
We will meet at a pub at lunchtime (where you could have lunch) before setting out across the parkland. The driveway across the park is flat and there are attractive views with the possibility of seeing the deer grazing. We will be given a talk about the condition and restoration of the park and its buildings. We will then visit the church, and see the early 19th sawmill in operation. On returning to the pub the bar will be open. The pub has a contemporary art collection and behind it there is an obelisk.
We will walk about four or five miles during the day. If sufficient people book we may hire a minibus. Visit will be approximately £12 per person plus the cost of the minibus.
if you are interested in coming, please let me know numbers at peter.a.cooke@outlook.com and indicate if you are happy walking or would if you would prefer a lift.
Talks and events by organizations other than the Folly Fellowship
The shell house was created c1757 on the estate of the banking family. The £50 note used to feature Sir John Houblon, a founding director of the Bank of England. Jeremy Musson, the architectural historian, will give a talk. Bring your own picnic lunch or eat in the National Trust café. The event is free except a £8 parking fee for non members of the National Trust. You may need to book a parking space as a NT member or a NT non member on that day – check website.The Shell House at Hatfield Forest | National Trust This event is not organised by the Folly Fellowship, but members are welcome to attend. Please notify Tony Wilson at Ant.wilson3@btinternet.com or 01985 840223 if you intent to join the visit and to get details of times.