Victorian Folly Of 'Medieval Ruins' In Bromley Palace Park

This is a Victorian folly designed to resemble medieval ruins, situated within Bromley Palace Park. It likely dates to the mid-1860s and was probably created by the firm of garden contractors, Pulhams.

The folly is constructed of stuccoed brick with stone, flint, and potentially Pulhamite detailing. It has a square or rectangular plan, though parts are ruinous. The structure stands near the southwest gateway to the civic centre complex, formerly the southwest corner of the pleasure grounds surrounding the palace. The front features a low, flat facade with applied stone and flint. A prominent round-arched window in Norman style is on the south front, featuring raised mechanical zig-zag decoration, which may be cast Pulhamite. The arch is supported by what appear to be early medieval capitals, with a possible late 12th-century column on the left bearing a decorative capital. A round-headed blind squint is located to the left. The rear of the folly and its roof have collapsed.

Following changes to the boundary of the bishopric in 1845, the bishop’s palace became a private residence. In 1863, the owner, Coles Child, engaged Richard Norman Shaw as architect and subsequently employed James Pulham for five years to landscape the grounds with a fernery, waterfall, and artificial rockwork. While the exact history of the folly is unclear, it probably originated during this landscaping phase and was likely constructed by Pulhams, who were known for their rockwork, bridges, and balustrades. Tradition suggests the folly was built from medieval stonework dredged from the moat around 1865, though the key features were demonstrably new constructions from the mid-19th century.

The folly is significant as an intrinsically interesting mid-19th century folly utilizing Norman style to evoke the spirit of the former bishop’s palace. Its probable construction by Pulhams, a notably innovative firm of garden contractors, further enhances its importance.