The Hadlow Tower

A Victorian folly that punches well above its weight. Hadlow Tower rises 120 feet from the Kent countryside near Tonbridge, a red-brick oddity built in 1838 by a wealthy local landowner who basically decided to erect a giant tower because he could. It's not subtle. You can see it from miles around, which rather defeats the purpose of a folly, but that's rather the point - it's meant to turn heads.

The tower stands in private grounds, so you won't be climbing inside, but the exterior alone is worth the drive if you're pottering around the Weald. The brickwork is genuinely striking - all soaring Victorian confidence and nowhere near as delicate as later follies. From the lane you get a proper look at the thing, and it's the kind of structure that makes you wonder what on earth the architect was thinking. No practical purpose whatsoever, just a statement.

This works best for follicists and architecture enthusiasts rather than families hoping to burn off energy. Kids will find it a bit of a puzzle - it's impressive for about ten minutes, then what? The real value comes from combining it with a broader tour of the area's stranger sights. If you're based at The Hop Farm or River View Camping nearby in Tonbridge, it's an easy detour on a afternoon ramble through the lanes. Bring a decent camera. The light in late afternoon catches the brickwork properly, and you'll understand why someone was daft enough to build it in the first place.