We’ve come across some interesting finds in our time at The Yorkshireman, but this unique folly located on the Yorkshire Coast, is the definition of a hidden gem. Located in the middle of a housing estate, it’s like something out of a children’s story. It’s up there with the Woman in the Shoe, the gingerbread house, Shrek’s swamp and now Yorkshire’s own Rapunzel Tower.
Located on a housing estate in the seaside town of Hornsea, in East Yorkshire Bettison’s Folly was built on the grounds of Newbegin House between 1829 and 1853 by William Bettison and stands at 55ft tall delighting visitors for hundreds of years. Whilst the area surrounding has become quite modern, this fairy tale tower has sat and watched the world around it change.
The tower boasts elaborate treacle-colored brickwork, exuding an aura of antiquity and evoking the imagery of a castle gracing a chessboard. Intricate detailing adorns the windows and various sections of the tower, enhancing its captivating aesthetic allure. It’s the only folly in the country with this type of flagpole.
Bettison was a Hull-based brewer. The reason behind its construction has been lost in history, but one story is that it was built so his servants could spy his carriage coming home down Southorpe hill and run down the hill to make sure his dinner was ready.
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At the time, Bettison was a Hull based brewer who built the folly in what was then his garden. In those days communication was by sight, so his manservant would ascend the tower at the usual time his master returned from work, see him descending Southorpe hill and run down the tower to ensure “dinner was served” as the master walked into the house.
It’s had its uses throughout the years. In more recent history it was used as a lookout point and siren to give warning of German invasion, which we know never came. Although it did see plenty of bombers flying close over the coast. Hull was the most heavily bombed UK city after London.
According to Hull Live, ownership has changed over the years with Patti Henderson and husband David purchasing and organising restoration work back in 2023.
In 2011 Bettinon’s Folly was bought by David Foster and Mike Bateman for £1 with legal costs bumping that figure up to £1,200. It’s now been recognised as a place of significant historical interest.
Presently, designated as a Grade II listed building, Bettison’s Folly stands prominently within a contemporary housing development situated off Newbegin, Hornsea’s main street. While seldom accessible to the public, it is a noteworthy destination deserving of exploration during your next visit to the East Yorkshire coast.
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