Folly legend
Old John
Built for a birthday, or not.
Stand where it happened
- What's there
- Squat stone tower with an arched 'handle'
- Legend from
- Bradgate legend
- Tone
- Wry
A tankard of stone for a man named John.
Wikipedia says the Greys built the folly in 1784 and that local legend calls it a memorial to John, an estate worker killed in a bonfire accident at George Grey's 21st birthday, the stonework giving it the look of a tankard. CONFLICT: Wikipedia notes George Grey did not turn 21 until 1786 and a 1745 map already names the hill 'Old John'. The National Forest says it replaced a windmill and was used to watch horse gallops.