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Coordinates: 52°28′28″N 1°55′52″W / 52.4744°N 1.9312°W / 52.4744; -1.9312
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{{Short description|Tall tower built in 1758 in Birmingham, United Kingdom}}
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[[Image:Perrotts Folly Crop.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Perrott's Folly]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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[[File:Perrotts Folly 1 (4621764444).jpg|right|thumb|upright|Perrott's Folly]]


'''Perrott's Folly''', {{gbmapping|SP047862}}, also known as The Monument, or The Observatory, is a 29-metre (96-foot) tall tower, built in 1758. It is a [[Grade II* listed building]] in the [[Edgbaston]] area of [[Birmingham]], [[England]].
'''Perrott's Folly''', {{gbmapping|SP047862}}, also known as The Monument, or The Observatory, is a 29-metre (96-foot) tall tower, built in 1758. It is a [[Grade II* listed building]] in the [[Edgbaston]] area of [[Birmingham]], United Kingdom.


==History==
==History==
The tower is one of Birmingham's oldest surviving architectural features. Built in the open [[Rotton Park]] by John Perrott, who lived in [[Belbroughton]], the tower now stands high above the local residential and business housing.
Built in the open [[Rotton Park]] by John Perrott in 1758, who lived in [[Belbroughton]], the tower now stands high above the local residential and business housing.


⚫
There are many stories to explain why the tower was built: that John Perrott wanted to be able to survey his land and perhaps entertain guests; or to spot animals for hunting; or so that he could see his wife's grave, {{convert|15|mi|km}} away.
==Purpose==
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There are many stories to explain why the tower was built. One is that John Perrott wanted to be able to survey his land and perhaps entertain guests. Or the tower might have been used to spot animals for hunting. Or that he built the tower so that he could see his wife's grave, 15 miles away.


==Use as a weather observatory==
From 1884 to 1979 the tower was used as a weather recording station for the [[Birmingham and Midland Institute]]. In 1966 the Geography Department of the [[University of Birmingham]] took over the running of the observatory until operations were transferred to the main campus.
From 1884 to 1979 the tower was used as a weather recording station for the [[Birmingham and Midland Institute]]. In 1966 the Geography Department of the [[University of Birmingham]] took over the running of the observatory until operations were transferred to the main campus.


==The Tolkien connection==
It has been suggested,<ref>{{cite web
It has been suggested,<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/preview/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=712&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=15
|url = http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/preview/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=712&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=15
|title = J. R. R. Tolkien
|title = J. R. R. Tolkien
|accessdate = 2007-08-26
|access-date = 2007-08-26
|date = 31 May 2007
|date = 31 May 2007
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|publisher = birmingham.gov.uk |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607202651/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/preview/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=712&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=15 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|work =
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|url = http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/articles/tolkiens-birmingham/
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|publisher = birmingham.gov.uk |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070607202651/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/preview/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=712&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=15 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
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|title = Tolkien's Birmingham
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|url = http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/articles/tolkiens-birmingham/
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|access-date = 2013-03-06
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|title = Tolkien's Birmingham
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|publisher = VirtualBrum
⚫
|accessdate = 2013-03-06
|url-status = dead
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|publisher = VirtualBrum}}
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130411033734/http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/articles/tolkiens-birmingham/
|archive-date = 2013-04-11
}}
</ref> but not proven, that the towers of Perrott's Folly and [[Edgbaston Waterworks]] may have influenced references to towers in the writings of [[J. R. R. Tolkien]], who lived nearby as a child.
</ref> but not proven, that the towers of Perrott's Folly and [[Edgbaston Waterworks]] may have influenced references to towers in the writings of [[J. R. R. Tolkien]], who lived nearby as a child.


==Prospects==
==Prospects==
The Perrott's Folly Company was formed in 1984 to renovate the tower and make it accessible to the public. The company has obtained grants from [[English Heritage]] and [[Birmingham City Council]] to secure the building.
The Perrott's Folly Company was formed in 1984 to renovate the tower and make it accessible to the public. The company obtained grants from [[English Heritage]] and [[Birmingham City Council]] to secure the building.


In the summer of 2005 the Perrott's Folly Company in partnership with [[Birmingham Conservation Trust]] completed work to stabilise the structure.<ref name="BCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/bct-finished/perrotts-folly/|title=Perrott’s Folly|publisher=Birmingham Conservation Trust|accessdate=22 November 2009}}</ref> However money still has to be found to complete repairs to some of the key features. Funding is expected to depend on finding a productive future use for the building. In April 2008 the tower was temporarily opened to the public, housing an art exhibition in co-operation with the [[Ikon Gallery]].<ref name="Loat">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/04/01/perrotts_folly_feature.shtml|title=Perrott's Folly re-opens to the public|last=Loat|first=Sarah|publisher=BBC Birmingham|accessdate=22 November 2009}}</ref> It was opened again in May 2008 as part of a weekend of celebrations of the life of JRR Tolkien.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7324028.stm|title='Tolkien tower' opens to public|date=1 April 2008|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=22 November 2009}}</ref> The Perrott's Folly Company was formally closed in August 2009, and passed to Trident Housing Association.
In the summer of 2005 the Perrott's Folly Company, in partnership with [[Birmingham Conservation Trust]], completed work to stabilise the structure.<ref name="BCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/bct-finished/perrotts-folly/|title=Perrott's Folly|publisher=Birmingham Conservation Trust|access-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> However, money still has to be found to complete repairs to some of the key features. In April 2008 the tower was temporarily opened to the public, housing an art exhibition in co-operation with the [[Ikon Gallery]].<ref name="Loat">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/04/01/perrotts_folly_feature.shtml|title=Perrott's Folly re-opens to the public|last=Loat|first=Sarah|publisher=BBC Birmingham|access-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> It was opened again in May 2008 as part of a weekend of celebrations of the life of [[J. R. R. Tolkien]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7324028.stm|title='Tolkien tower' opens to public|date=1 April 2008|publisher=BBC News|access-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> The Perrott's Folly Company was formally closed in August 2009. The tower was managed by Trident Housing Association between 2005 and 2017 and is now managed by Re.Future Collective, a Birmingham based Arts and Architecture Collective.<ref name="Re.Future">{{cite web|url=http://refuturecollective.com/perrotts-folly/|title=Perrott's Folly|publisher=Re.Future Collective|access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

In 2013 a fundraising drive was launched to raise £1million to complete the restoration and open it permanently to the public.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/29/tower-inspired-tolkien-bought|title=Bought for £1, the mysterious tower that inspired JRR Tolkien|date=29 January 2013|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=29 January 2013}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

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* ''A Guide to the Buildings of Birmingham'', Peter Leather, ISBN 0-7524-2475-0
==Sources==
* {{IoEentry|217750|Images of England - photograph and details from listed building text}}
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* ''A Guide to the Buildings of Birmingham'', Peter Leather, {{ISBN|0-7524-2475-0}}
* {{NHLE |num=1076123 |desc=The Monument (Observatory) |access-date=18 May 2006}}
* {{EHbarName|Perrott's+Folly}}
* {{EHbarName|Perrott's+Folly}}


==External links==
==External links==
* https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181043/http://www.follyproject.org/
*[http://www.perrottsfolly.co.uk/ Perrott's Folly website]


{{BirminghamBuildings}}
{{BirminghamBuildings}}
{{Authority control}}


{{coord|52.4744|N|1.9312|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Coord|52.4744|N|1.9312|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}


[[Category:Folly buildings in England]]
[[Category:Folly towers in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the West Midlands]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:J. R. R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:J. R. R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Edgbaston]]
[[Category:Towers in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1758]]

Latest revision as of 00:47, 21 July 2023

Perrott's Folly

Perrott's Folly, grid reference SP047862, also known as The Monument, or The Observatory, is a 29-metre (96-foot) tall tower, built in 1758. It is a Grade II* listed building in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

History

[edit]

Built in the open Rotton Park by John Perrott in 1758, who lived in Belbroughton, the tower now stands high above the local residential and business housing.

There are many stories to explain why the tower was built: that John Perrott wanted to be able to survey his land and perhaps entertain guests; or to spot animals for hunting; or so that he could see his wife's grave, 15 miles (24 km) away.

From 1884 to 1979 the tower was used as a weather recording station for the Birmingham and Midland Institute. In 1966 the Geography Department of the University of Birmingham took over the running of the observatory until operations were transferred to the main campus.

It has been suggested,[1][2] but not proven, that the towers of Perrott's Folly and Edgbaston Waterworks may have influenced references to towers in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien, who lived nearby as a child.

Prospects

[edit]

The Perrott's Folly Company was formed in 1984 to renovate the tower and make it accessible to the public. The company obtained grants from English Heritage and Birmingham City Council to secure the building.

In the summer of 2005 the Perrott's Folly Company, in partnership with Birmingham Conservation Trust, completed work to stabilise the structure.[3] However, money still has to be found to complete repairs to some of the key features. In April 2008 the tower was temporarily opened to the public, housing an art exhibition in co-operation with the Ikon Gallery.[4] It was opened again in May 2008 as part of a weekend of celebrations of the life of J. R. R. Tolkien.[5] The Perrott's Folly Company was formally closed in August 2009. The tower was managed by Trident Housing Association between 2005 and 2017 and is now managed by Re.Future Collective, a Birmingham based Arts and Architecture Collective.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "J. R. R. Tolkien". birmingham.gov.uk. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
  2. ^ "Tolkien's Birmingham". VirtualBrum. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Perrott's Folly". Birmingham Conservation Trust. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  4. ^ Loat, Sarah. "Perrott's Folly re-opens to the public". BBC Birmingham. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  5. ^ "'Tolkien tower' opens to public". BBC News. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Perrott's Folly". Re.Future Collective. Retrieved 16 September 2019.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]

52°28′28″N 1°55′52″W / 52.4744°N 1.9312°W / 52.4744; -1.9312

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