John "Mad Jack" Fuller Follies

Here is a small mosaic (made with FD Flickrtoys) of the John 'Mad Jack' Fuller Follies, located in and around Brightling, East Sussex, UK. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies For even more info and a map of the most widely known ones visit here: Folly Towers Site A BIG thanks to the folks at John 'Mad Jack' Fuller for most of the very interesting information posted on the photo pages Amazingly almost all of these are visible from each other, many are within in walking distance although we drove the tour, and I recommend you drive if walking across country isn't for you. I made this mosaic so that others in my local area can get information on visiting them as well, many people I know in or around Hastings had no idea they were so close or that they even existed. We had a wonderful day out visiting them all and it was so fun coming up with our own ideas of what some of them may or may not have been made for. Most of them are on/in Brightling Park and are accessible through public footpaths or have some access to get fairly close. The Temple and the Obelisk are on private property so its best to ask, all parties were more then happy for us to have a close up look when we asked. The Observatory is a private residence now, and has a path around the building that is accessible, the owners have grown a hedge around it to have some privacy however left conservatory side open for visitors. The Church in Dallington is the spire that the Sugar Loaf was made to resemble and is a lovely church and village if you have time to swing by there as well. Brightling Church is ancient and open to visitors if you get time to have a wander around you'll see the markers from the 17th century adorning the church walls, as well as even older paintings that were accidently covered by John Fuller while renovating and have been recovered. The Summerhouse as its called is the only one we didn't get up close and personal with, as there was a riding exhibition or practice going on in the field with easy access. It also appears that the footpath leading away from the Sugar Loaf would get you there, if your feeling up for a bit of a hike. I'm definitely going to plan a day trip back to see it, the work in Coade fake stone is supposed to be quite impressive for its time. Another map showing the locations here: Google Maps by Me Anyway hope someone enjoys the virtual tour as much as I did posting it up, and taking the shots. Definitely you want to get yourself out there one day and see them all if you haven't already :)

The Tower is located off the Brightling-Darwell Hole road, about a quarter mile south east of Brightling Park. The tower can be reached by a small footpath. Easily my favorite folly of the day :) Seen here from the Temple. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

The Tower is approximately 35 feet (10.6 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter and is thought to have been built in the late 1820s. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

It is more commonly thought that Jack Fuller had this tower built so that he could keep an eye on the workmen's progress during the restoration of Bodiam Castle. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

There has been some conjecture that the Tower was used as a signalling tower. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Metal work of the stairs and door. Its not clear who is (if anyone) responsible for the upkeep of this historic treasure, the metal work is in recent years although quite weathered now. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Looking up through the steel floor and stairs. Some rumors are that Fuller used to come here to watch from afar the construction of the railway through Robertsbridge, four miles away. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

The metal work that has since replaced the wooden stairs to allow access to the magnificent 360' view. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Another fable connects the structure with the threatened Napoleonic invasion, although its unlikely, Napoleon met his Waterloo on 18th June 1815 so there was no threat of invasion at the time the tower was erected. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

The Tower had wooden floors and stairs inside until fairly recently when fire was set inside destroying them. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

None of the explanations for the tower's existence are persuasive. The South Eastern & Chatham Railway linked Robertsbridge to Tunbridge Wells in 1851 and Battle in 1852. The Kent & East Sussex Light Railway did not reach Robertsbridge until 1900. So the tower was not built for "trainspotting". Napoleon met his Waterloo on 18th June 1815 so there was no threat of invasion at the time the tower was erected. Fuller purchased Bodiam castle in 1829 and it seems that the Tower was built before then. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Yet another mysterious building for a mysterious purpose, if any, left by John Fuller. Looking up through the step ladder to the top vista window. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

View across the valley towards Robertsbridge. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Geocaching.com box with signatures of other travellers that have found this on their maps. Tucked back into the wall, with a walnut?!? For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

View down the winding stair case, the see through floors although very sturdy still, are a bit unnerving if you glance the 35 feet down. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Fuller's Tower is the stuff from which legends are made! For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

Standing stately atop a small hill in Brightling Park is the Greek, or perhaps more properly, Rotunda Temple. My second favorite of the Fuller Follies we visited, as evidenced by several photos :) For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies

It was suggested by Sir Humphry Repton in his plans for the garden and is thought to have been designed by Sir Robert Smirke. For more information about them you can visit his site: John Fuller Follies