The North West of England is a landscape defined by rugged hills, industrial grit, and sweeping coastal vistas. This region is also softened by the architectural eccentricities of the past. Follies are the grand, often purposeless gestures of history.
These stone monuments were born from the whims of wealthy landowners who wished to punctuate the horizon with a statement of status, grief, or celebration. To wander through these structures is to trace a map of human curiosity (and eccentricity) across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside.
At A Glance: North West Follies
Free Follies (No Entry Fee)
| Folly Name | Location | Parking Cost | Access Level |
| Mow Cop Castle | Cheshire | Free | Moderate (Uneven) |
| Pigeon Tower | Rivington | £1.75–£5.50 (Approx) | Challenging (Steep) |
| White Nancy | Bollington | Free | Challenging (Steep) |
| Darwen Tower | Darwen | Free | Challenging (Uphill) |
| Peel Tower | Bury | Free | Moderate (Steep) |
| Monton Lighthouse | Eccles | Free | Good (Flat) |
| The Atom | Wycoller | £1.50 (Approx) | Good (Gravel) |
Paid Follies (Entry or Estate Fee)
| Folly Name | Location | Cost | Access Level |
| Ashton Memorial | Lancaster | £5 (Attractions) | Good (Tarmac) |
| The Cage | Lyme Park | £8 (Estate Fee) | Moderate (Sloping) |
| Hoad Monument | Ulverston | £2 (Tower Entry) | Moderate (Sloping) |
Cheshire: Ridges and Hunting Lodges
The Cheshire landscape is marked by ridges that invite the placement of curious structures. Mow Cop Castle (see top photo) offers a unique illusion. Built in 1754 to resemble a medieval ruin, it was never meant for defence.
A small National Trust car park sits near its base, leaving only a five-minute scramble up a rocky path. It is free to explore, though the uneven terrain means it is unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Further along the ridges, White Nancy sits atop Kerridge Hill like a giant, stone sugar loaf. Built in 1817 to commemorate the victory at Waterloo, it is a simple, white-washed structure.
To see it, one must park at Pool Bank in Bollington and face the 100 Steps. This is a relentless 30-minute ascent. The effort is rewarded with views that stretch to the Welsh mountains, though the incline is punishing for small children (and me).
The estate of Lyme Park houses The Cage. This three-storey stone tower was originally constructed as a hunting lodge where guests could watch deer from a safe vantage point. Later in its history, it served as a lock-up for poachers, which is how it earned its name.
It sits prominently on a ridge and offers panoramic views across the estate. A 20-minute walk up a grassy slope from the main car park leads you to its doors. Entry to the estate is £8 for non-members, which covers parking and access to the parkland.
Cumbria
Heading north to Cumbria, the Hoad Monument mimics a lighthouse to honour Sir John Barrow. While the walk from Ulverston is a continuous 20-minute climb, the tower itself is a marvel of Victorian engineering.
Entry to the grounds is free, with a small £2 donation requested to climb the tower itself. It remains a comprehensive destination for families seeking both history and exercise.
Greater Manchester and Cumbria: Industrial Landmarks
In the industrial heartlands of Greater Manchester, follies often served as symbols of civic pride. Peel Tower, standing above Bury, honours the founder of the modern police force. It requires a 20-minute steep climb from Holcombe Village. The rugged, uneven nature of the moorland paths makes this route physically demanding and challenging for anyone with limited mobility or wheelchair users.
In contrast, the Monton Lighthouse in Eccles proves that a folly can be born of contemporary whimsy. Sitting on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, its flat, paved towpath makes it the most accessible landmark in the region.
Lancashire: Towers and Terraces
The journey begins in the north with the sheer opulence of the Edwardian era. In Lancaster, the Ashton Memorial dominates the skyline of Williamson Park. Commissioned by Lord Ashton as a monument to his late wife, this baroque masterpiece is often called the Taj Mahal of the North.
It is a rare example of a folly that offers both grandeur and accessibility. The tarmacked paths from the Wyresdale Road car park make the ten-minute uphill walk manageable for prams and those with limited mobility.
Moving into the Pennine fringes, the tone shifts to Gothic romanticism. The not very romantically-named Pigeon Tower at Rivington was part of a labyrinthine garden for Lord Leverhulme. Once a sewing room for Lady Lever, the tower stands guard over the stone staircases.
Reaching it requires a 45-minute trek from the Great House Barn, where parking ranges from £1.75 to £5.50. The climb is steep and the stone steps are often slick, making it an adventure for children but a significant barrier for those with accessibility needs.
In Wycoller, The Atom provides a modern, metallic interpretation of the craft. Part of the Panopticons series, this bronze-coated structure looks like a spacecraft nestled in the hills. It is remarkably accessible, with a flat, 15-minute gravel path leading from the car park.
Finally, the Darwen Tower stands as an 1898 octagonal monument celebrating the freedom of the moors. It requires a vigorous 30-minute uphill walk from the free car park, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hills.
Merseyside: Subterranean and Hidden Curiosities
Merseyside does not have the classic hilltop folly tradition found in the neighbouring counties, but it holds its own secret treasures. It is important to note that these are not follies in the traditional, decorative hilltop sense, but they are born from the same spirit of private eccentricity.
The Williamson Tunnels in Liverpool are perhaps the most famous example. Created by Joseph Williamson in the early 19th century, this subterranean network remains an architectural puzzle. Whether he built them for charity or pure whim, they are a fascinating underground maze.
Finally, Prince Rupert’s Tower in Everton acts as a miniature castle. While technically a former lock-up for holding offenders, its curious appearance has made it a local legend that fits firmly within the regional love for odd structures. If you are a footballing type, you may recognise the tower from Everton F.C.’s crest!
