An Egyptian Aviary at Tong in Shropshire. Built in the 18th century by a man who inherited his father's estate at four years old, the aviary included a two doors, a small chicken-sized one and another almost as small, for the egg collector. The yellow brick building is dotted with comfortable nesting holes, and egg shaped ventilation holes. On the walls are inscribed the words "Trail by Jury" and "Scratch before you Peck" and bizarrely "Teach you Granny".Illustration from Follies, edited by Sir Hugh Casson, National Benzole Books, 1963.
Photograph from Monumental Follies: An exposition on the eccentric edifices of Britain, by Stuart Barton, Lyle Publications, 1972.
When hunting one day, a man rode over a hedge, only to find on the other side was a huge chalk pit, 30ft across. Luckily for him, his horse stretched out a little more, and reached the other side safely, saving his life. This man, Mr Paulet St. John, was so overwhelmed he renamed his horse "Beware chalk Pit" and together they went on to win numerous races. This monument is St. Johns memorial to his horse, at Farley down in Hampshire, standing 25ft high, marking the resting place of his saviour. The monument was built around 1733.
Photograph from Monumental Follies.
Robert Stephen Hawker a poet and vicar built his home, the Rectory at Morwenstow in Cornwall, with five chimneys - four of which are miniaturization's of his favourite church spires. The fifth, somewhat larger, seems somewhat different. Apart from its function - it is the kitchen chimney and so larger than those for heating the lofty building, it could possibly depict something much more morbid than a church spire. I have found various different accounts, which tell of two different accounts. One opinion is that it is some kind of trap for the devil, so that he may be trapped and roasted alive, the other is that it is a replica of his mothers tomb. They are united in one thing; the both state uncertainly that this is the truth, they know Hawkers intentions. Unfortunately I haven't found a photo of the fifth chimney, although I can say one thing; it does exist; I've been there; the rectory is now a great place for Cornish cream tea!
One miniature church spire chimney. Photograph from Monumental Follies.
Hawker also built himself a hut, a solitary refuge for one in which he sat; reflecting and writing poetry. The hut still exists, and is also visitable. It sits by the cliff, almost dug into its side, and faces out to the ocean. Despite the only presence between this point and America being the sea, Hawkers view was not uneventful; the frequent storms combined with treacherous rocks and ignorant sailors, brought many boats and ships into danger along this stretch of coast, and Hawker was often witness to terrible events as he looked out in the darkness. It appears he was not the only one who looked on; soon after this accidents locals would flood to the sight, relieving the stricken vessels of their contents, their dead sailors being unable to prevent such robbery. Hawker was horrified by this practice, but it seems his power as the local vicar of multiple parishes did not stretch so far as to stop them.
Photograph from Hawker of Morwenstow, Portrait of a Victorian Eccentric, by Piers Brendon, Pimlico, 2002.
In the blurb on the back it is stated "He talked to birds, invited his nine cats into church and excommunicated one of them when it caught a mouse on Sunday."
