Perrott's Folly — Attraction in Birmingham

Tolkien fans! Really nice tower to visit. Perrott's Folly is a 96 foot tower, also known as “The Observatory” situated in the open gardens of Rotton Park. It was built in 1758 by John Perrott. There are some stories to explain why the tower was built. One is that John Perrott wanted to be able to survey his land and perhaps entertain guests. Or the tower might have been used to spot animals for hunting, or that he built the tower so that he could see his wife's grave, 15 miles away. From 1884 to 1979 the tower was used as a weather recording station for the Birmingham and Midland Institute. It is now owned by Trident Housing. Along with Edgbaston Waterworks Tower, it is said they inspired Tolkien for “The Two Towers” in “The Lord of the rings”. He would have seen them regularly, as he lived in nearby Stirling Rd for a time, and used to worship in Birmingham’s Oratory, founded by Cardinal Newman, which was also very...

Perrott's Folly is a 29-metre (96-foot) tall tower, built in 1758. It has been suggested that the towers of Perrott's Folly and Edgbaston Waterworks (just round the corner and also worth a look) may have influenced references to towers in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien, who lived nearby as a child.

It's an interesting place to visit - although access inside seems limited to the occasional community access project. I'd definitely take a tour if it was available and check out the views which must be...

Built in the open Rotton Park by John Perrott in 1758. Perrott's Folly, also known as The Monument, or The Observatory, is a 29-metre (96-foot) tall tower. It is Grade II* listed.

Perrott's Folly, alongside the Edgbaston Waterworks tower (along the road), is believed to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Two Towers in The Lord of the Rings.

The tower is now managed by Re.Future Collective, a Birmingham based Arts and...