Needle's Eye
| Needle's Eye | |
|
Yorkshire | |
|---|---|
 Needle's Eye in 2018 | |
| Type: | Folly |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK3962298821 |
| Location: | 53°29’5"N, 1°24’16"W |
| History | |
| Built Mid-late 18th century | |
| By: | John Carr |
| Folly | |
| Information | |
Needle's Eye is a 46-foot pyramidal Grade-II* listed building which is situated in Wentworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Needle's Eye is one of several follies in and around Wentworth Woodhouse park; the others include Hoober Stand and Keppel's Column.
History
It was constructed approximately in the mid-late 18th century and believed to have been made in order to win a wager, where the second Marquis of Rockingham claimed he was able to "drive a coach and horses through an eye of a needle". John Carr designed Needle's Eye[1] alongside some other follies in the area.
Musket holes can be seen on one side of the structure, most of which are approximately head height; this suggests execution by firing squad has taken place at the building.[2]
Location
Needle's Eye is situated between two disused horse and carriage paths. The area is open to public.
Structure
It is a pyramid made of sandstone topped with a funerary urn, encompassing an archway of approximately 10 feet. The wideness of the archway is roughly enough for a coach and horses to pass through, which fits its alleged purpose of creation.
References
- ↑ "Needle's Eye Listing Record". British Listed Buildings. https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101314588-needles-eye-brampton-bierlow. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ↑ "Britain's Best Architectural Follies". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/pictures/8975453/Britains-best-architectural-follies.html?image=5. Retrieved 4 April 2015.