P e r r o t ' s  F o l l y

(Best viewed in full screen F11)

In Waterworks Road at the heart of Edgbaston Birmingham, one of England's largest and busiest cities, proudly stands this elegant and very slender 96 ft red brick tower. It was built in 1758 by a Mr John Perrot. It is octagonal, topped with Gothic embattlements, six stories high and boasts a circular stair turret.

The area in which the tower stands was, in the 1300's a very large and enclosed deer park of woodlands called Parc de Rotton juxta Birmingham. It is noted as being a very prime hunting ground. Humphrey Perrott of Bell Hall, Belbroughton bought the park in 1628, and it was passed to John aged just 35, the last of the Perrot's in 1737. He lived in Monument house, a lodge in the park.

There are three stories of the folly's origin, the first being that Mr Perrot was a great huntsman, particularly fond of hare coursing. He may have built this tower so that his daughter Catherine, and later himself after he became too old and crooked to ride his horse, could watch the days hunting events in Smethwick. But the reasoning behind this story is bizarre.   Why build a 96 ft tower merely to observe hares and the like, being relentlessly pursued around the local countryside, as standing so far above the ground the views would have been incredible. But then, could such a very old man be able to climb so many steps?

All photographs submitted by and copyright of Dave Castle Birmingham

The second tale of the tower may be that John built his folly so he could see the grave of his wife Amy, who was buried in St. Philips churchyard in Belbroughton some 10 miles away, although the height of the land at Clent, plus the fact that the only direction not visible from the top of the tower is towards Belbroughton, as it was unfortunately for John, obscured by the stair turret, may have prevented this.

John Perrot was also a keen astronomer and the final tale suggests that he built the tower as his personal observatory, as he resided adjacent to it in his long demolished house.

Repaired in 1986, and in excellent condition it is now a grade 2 listed building.

The Two Towers

Perrot's Folly Tower together with the adjoining waterworks tower built in 1870, but not really a folly in the true sense as it forms part of the waterworks, is often said to have been the inspiration of JRR Tolkien's book from the

"Lord of the Rings" the 'Two Towers'.

The two towers stand approximately 100 yards apart.

John Ronald Reul Tolkien lived nearby in his youth...

The tower viewed from Waterworks road today. It is hard to imagine this urban area being once just sprawling countryside, with its woodland, heath land, and its deer, foxes and hares, and with Mr. Perrots hunting party riding through the woods in hot pursuit of them.

Visiting:-

The tower is used as an observatory and is privately owned by a heritage trust. As with many other towers there may be public open days, usually on Bank Holidays. Close up views can be obtained from Waterworks Road, although being built so tall, it can be clearly observed from a great distance away.

 

 

Co-ords 404700 286200/ SP047 862  

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