Faringdon Folly | tower, interesting place

 tower, folly, interesting place

Faringdon Hill is East of the town, overlooking the old roads to Oxford and Stanford in the Vale. It's top is flattened and almost circular, with a clear view to the North across the Thames Valley, and southwards to the Berkshire Downs.

Lord Berners employed some of his estate workers on building a brick 'folly',100 feet high, among the pines; it was designed by his architect friend Lord Wellesley.

During the World War II it provided an observation post for the Home Guard in conjunction with their pillbox below, beside the crest of London Road. In 1999, to mark the Millennium, Peter White designed and set up a rotating searchlight at the top of the tower. This 'Millennium Lighthouse' could be seen from many miles during the hours of darkness.
www.faringdonfolly.org.uk/