The Gothick Folly To The North Of Thornborough Hall

The Gothick Folly, built around 1790 and restored in the late 20th century, is located to the north of Thornborough Hall in Leyburn. It is constructed from rubble stone with brick, ashlar, and rubble stone dressings. The structure features a square keep with circular towers at each corner, built against a terraced wall, and includes an octagonal turret.

The main south front has a central section framed by a round-headed brick arch with an ashlar keystone. There is a central doorway with a flat lintel in a pointed arch opening, flanked by single pointed arch boarded windows with rendered openings. The circular corner towers have arrow slits on the ground floor and boarded pointed arched windows above. The side facades are blind.

At the top, there is an octagonal lantern with partly collapsed walls, and each face has a pointed arched window with a rendered surround. This folly was designed to enhance the gardens of Thornborough Hall and is situated on a double terrace, offering dramatic views across the gardens and the town.