Needle’s Eye from Wentworth village side

A pyramid, about 45 feet high of ashlar blocks of local coal measure sandstone surmounted by an ornamental urn and pierced by a tall Gothic ogee arch. It straddles a now defunct private roadway which ran from Wentworth Woodhouse northwards to the Lion Lodges near Brampton Bierlow. It can be seen from Coaley Lane and reached via a signposted footpath leaving Coaley Lane almost opposite Street Lane.

Legend has it that Earl Fitzwilliam built the structure as a result of a wager that he could drive his horse and carriage through the eye of a needle. The position on the coach road supports this story, although the size of the archway is probably only sufficient to accomodate a small gun carriage.

There is also evidence of a possible execution by firing squad on one side, where there are several distinct musket-ball marks in the stone.

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You may like to visit Ink Amera for more extensive coverage of the Needle’s Eye and all other Wentworth follies.

Rockingham Mausoleum

Situated in Mausoleum Wood near the hamlet of Nether Haugh. Commissioned in 1783 by the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam in memory of his uncle Charles 2nd Marquis of Rockingham (whose body is actually in York Minster). Architect John Carr of York designed the three-storeyed building, 90ft high.

The ground floor and enclosed hall is solid and square containing a statue of the 2nd Marquis by Nollekens and casts of the original fine busts of eight of his closest friends. Above this level, an open colonnade with an arcade of Corinthian columns surrounding an empty sarcophagus. The third level is a cupola resembling a Roman temple.

Open to the public on Sunday afternoons between 2-5pm between Spring Bank Holiday and August Bank Holiday only. Parties catered for on request to the Estate Office, Wentworth.

Web Links

You may like to visit Ink Amera for more extensive coverage of the Rockingham Mausoleum and all other Wentworth follies.

For information about mausolea in general The Mausolea and Monuments Trust web site is a good starting point.

At 115 feet, Keppel’s Column is the tallest of the Wentworth follies; it was originally planned to be even taller and capped with a statue of Admiral Keppel, but evidently the Marquis of Rockingham ran short of funds. It was designed by John Carr, who was also responsible for the Wentworth Woodhouse stables and the family’s Irish house at Coollattin.

Admiral Keppel was a friend of the Marquis and a fellow Whig who was court-martialled following a naval defeat at the hands of the French in 1777. The Marquis had already planned to build a pillar to mark the southern boundary of his park, but following Keppel’s acquittal he adapted the design and aimed to create a triumphal pillar by way of celebrating what he saw as a defeat for the government.

Sadly the building as designed wasn’t completed, which leaves us with an oddly proportioned tower which seems to bulge out slightly due to the entasis about three quarters of the way up (had it been completed to it’s full height this architectural effect should have made it appear straight from a distance).

The tower, which has an internal spiral staircase, was open to the public until the 1960s but it is now in a dangerous condition and is kept locked. The current owners, Rotherham Borough Council, seem to have added strengthening to the lower part of the tower as a precaution. It isn’t known if there are any plans to reopen the tower, but now that the other Wentworth follies are all open at various times it’s a shame not to be able to take in the complete set! In the meanwhile you can view the tower at close quarters from the public footpath running from Admiral’s Crest in Scholes.

Web Links

You may like to visit Ink Amera for more extensive coverage of Keppel’s Column and all other Wentworth follies.

Designed in the 18th century by Henry Flitcroft, situated on the highest ridge in the Wentworth area (some 157m above sea level) and commanding fine views all around from the viewing platform at the top of the Stand after climbing the 155 internal stone steps. Of pyramid construction, roughly 30m high and almost devoid of architectural ornamentation on its exterior but with the true dignityof 18th century craftsmanship revealed inside.

Open to the public on Sunday afternoons between 2-5pm between Spring Bank Holiday and 30th September only. Parties catered for on request to the Estate Office, Wentworth.

The Stand itself was built in 1747-8 to commemorate defeat of the Jacobite rebellion in 1745, when the 1st Marquis (then plain Thomas Watson Wentworth) fought on the side of King George II. In recognition of his contribution, the King elevated Wentworth to Marquis, and the new Marquis decided to build the 30 metre tower to show his gratitude.

The inscription above the doorway reads:-

This pyramidall building was erected by his Majestys most dutiful subject Thomas Marquess of Rockingham in grateful respect to the preserver of our religious laws and libertys King George the Second who, by the blessing of God having subdued a most unnatural rebellion in Britain anno 1746 maintains the balance of power and settles a just and honourable peace in Europe 1748

The tower is built in the shape of a tapering pyramid topped with a hexaganol lantern. The design creates the illusion that the building is toppling over and the lantern at the top seems to move depending on your viewing angle. Rest assured though, this is a very solid piece of construction and is well worth a visit.

Web Links

You may like to visit Ink Amera for more extensive coverage of Hoober Stand and all other Wentworth follies.