Faringdon Folly Tower and Woodland

Faringdon’s unique, iconic 100ft tower, the last major folly to be built in England, surrounded by woodland. Kids aged 11 and under get in free.

There are four acres of circular woodland to to enjoy, with some trees that are more than 400 years old!

While visiting the tower, you can enjoy the breathtaking views over five counties from the top and learn why the last 10 feet of the tower are built in a completely different style!

Please be aware that the stairs are quite steep and narrow and may not be suitable for everyone to climb. Dogs are not allowed in the tower, but they are welcome to walk around the woodland.

Children love to look for the hare, the mole, the bat, the buzzard as well as the ‘sing a song of sixpence’ giant willow pie and 22 big blackbirds perched in the trees.

If you look carefully you will find Lord Berners himself, high in a tree.  If he continues to saw the branch, he is bound to fall. The troll is keeping watch.

Lord Berners, when asked what the tower was for said ‘it is entirely useless’. Our fairly useless bridge was created with the same thought.  However, children love to play on it and small animals could be living beneath it.  Some children think it is a fairy bridge, others a troll bridge and trip trap over it.

The wooden cannon commemorating Oliver Cromwell in the Civil war points at Faringdon. Good for clambering on too