I don’t like follies much. They feel contrived and charmless. But this does not necessarily mean they aren’t interesting. Folly Arch is a curious structure which I felt needed some explanation. Folly Arch is all that remains of Gobions Estate, an ancient pile dating back to the twelfth century. The manor house had associations with the More family (Sir Thomas) and was thus known as More Hall during the sixteenth century. Connections to the Gybynnes family saw the house go through various different spellings of the name until finally arriving at ‘Gobions’ in the early-mid nineteenth century.
The man responsible for the arch, Sir Jeremy Sambrooke, bought the estate in 1707. He is thought to have erected the folly in 1740 after inheriting the baronetcy from his recently deceased nephew. It is an early example of gothic revival and is thus listed as being of ‘important landscape value’ by English Heritage.
Although my thoughts on follies have been expressed above, the novelty value is indeed there and makes for quite a striking and welcome scene after having driven through the banality of Colony Heath and North Mymms. For this alone we must thank Sir Jeremy.
Reading reports online suggests that the arch may have been in threat of collapsing at the turn of the 21st century due to large cracks appearing on the archway itself. Bracing seemed to have been erected at the time (rather unsympathetically I might add) but I am pleased to report that there is only minimal bracing currently and the cracks appear to have been filled.
Location – The junction between Hawkshead Road and Swanley Bar Lane – just south of Gobions Wood.
Sources
- http://www.brookmans.com/environment/gobions/ch1.shtml
- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-158526-the-folly-arch-north-mymms
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