Needle's Eye
Needle's Eye | |
---|---|
![]() Needle's Eye in 2012 | |
Type | Folly |
Location | Wentworth |
Coordinates | 53°29′05″N 1°24′16″W / 53.48465°N 1.40441°W |
OS grid reference | SK 39622 98821 |
Area | South Yorkshire |
Built | Mid-late 18th century |
Architect | John Carr |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
Official name | Needle's Eye |
Designated | 29 March 1968 |
Reference no. | 1314588 |
Needle's Eye is a 14-metre (46 ft) pyramid Grade II* listed building which is situated in Wentworth, South Yorkshire in northern England. Needle's Eye is one of several follies in and around Wentworth Woodhouse park; the others include Hoober Stand and Keppel's Column.
History
[edit]It was constructed approximately in the mid-late 18th century and believed to have been made in order to win a wager, where the second Marquess of Rockingham claimed he was able to "drive a coach and horses through an eye of a needle".[1] John Carr designed Needle's Eye[2] alongside some other follies in the area.
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/36/Needle%27s_Eye_musket_holes.jpg/220px-Needle%27s_Eye_musket_holes.jpg)
One side of the structure is heavily pockmarked. It is alleged execution by firing squad may have taken place at the building since they resemble Musket balls; however this is unsubstantiated.
Location
[edit]Needle's Eye is situated between two disused horse and carriage paths. The area is open to public.
Structure
[edit]It is a pyramid made of sandstone topped with a funerary urn, encompassing an archway of approximately 3-metre (9.8 ft). The wideness of the archway is roughly enough for a coach and horses to pass through, which fits its alleged purpose of creation.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Monuments & Follies". Wentworth Estate. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "Needle's Eye Listing Record". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- 18th-century establishments in England
- Buildings and structures completed in the 18th century
- Buildings and structures in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham
- Grade II* listed buildings in South Yorkshire
- Wentworth, South Yorkshire
- Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
- Folly buildings in England
- Pyramids in Europe