The Folly

The Folly is a structure likely built in the late 18th century or early 19th century, featuring re-used granite details. It is made of sandstone rubble that incorporates earlier granite and metamorphic stone elements. The building has a rectangular plan and is designed as a ruin, lacking a roof, with a viewing platform on the first floor accessible by steps at the rear.

The front of the Folly includes a two-light window positioned at an upper level, featuring cusped lights, upper Y-tracery, and roll-moulded jambs, supported by two carved grotesque masks as corbels. To the right, there is a free-standing square-plan pier topped with a granite crocketted pinnacle. The right side has a pointed arched window, while to the upper left, there are the cill and jambs of a larger window opening. The left side features a plain granite doorway with a lintel but no walling above it, and to the upper right, there is a two-light cusped window, though only one light remains.

At the rear, there is a roll-moulded oval granite window with recessed spandrels, along with what appear to be two re-used doorheads, the lower one set upside down. Inside, a granite winder stair leads to the viewing platform, which likely had rails at the rear. The Folly is prominently situated on a hilltop in Mount Edgcumbe Park, providing views over Plymouth Sound.