Percy Tenantry Column

The Percy Tenantry Column, also known as 'The Farmers' Folly', is a Grade I listed structure located on South Road. It was begun in 1816 and designed by David Stephenson of Newcastle, with completion overseen by the 3rd Duke of Northumberland. This impressive Greek Doric column stands 83 feet tall and features shallow fluting and a foliate cap that supports a drum topped with the Percy lion passant, which faces south.

The column is set on a square pedestal, which is adorned with four lions that face inward, each positioned on black marble plinths. The entire structure rests on a circular granite platform that has a circumference of 90 feet. The pedestal has panels on three sides, with a stair entrance located on the fourth side to the north. Each side of the pedestal is inscribed with "Esperance en dieu". The west panel bears the inscription: "To Hugh Duke of Northumberland KG this column is erected, dedicated and inscribed by a grateful and united tenantry Anno Domini MDCCCXVI". This dedication reflects the Duke's actions of significantly increasing farmers' rents before reducing them in response to the agricultural depression following the Battle of Waterloo. The column was formerly surrounded by railings.