In 18th century Britain and France, gardens frequently featured follies – ornamental buildings resembling ancient temples, pyramids, or castles. A very fine example of these extravagant decorations survives at Wimpole estate, Cambridgeshire. Constructed in the 1770s it resembles the ruins of a Gothic castle. It does look pretty convincing! Perfectly imperfect rugged and broken-away walls, and an intact tower decorate the hill behind Wimpole hall, making, I imagine, a charming prospect to look upon from the sitting room window.
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