Folly Bridge, Bewdley
Jo Bloom asks: Can anyone confirm that this Folly Bridge is by ‘Capability’ Brown?
- Is this bridge by ‘Capability’ Brown?
This fine little bridge is situated in Bewdley, Worcestershire (Shropshire when it was built). It is, I am sure, a part of Brown’s garden design for Spring Grove House which is now the site of Bewdley Safari Park. The Folly Bridge clearly shows on 1885 maps, though I have not yet been able to date its build.
Although a part of Spring Grove House gardens, it is situated at the bottom of a series of artificial waterfalls, with holding chambers, and garden ruins that were designed by Gertrude Jekyll for Mrs. Wakeman-Newport in 1912. It now lies within a wooded area of Sandbourne House (demolished 1971). I have the plans from Berkley, USA and am still investigating the woodland area.
I am keen to have it recognized as it’s been left hidden due to a bypass being cut through the grounds around 30–40 years ago. The pool is also in the route of Riddings Brook which was the cause of several devastating flood events in the last 20 months. I am concerned that it may be affected if plans are drawn for flood alleviation without the importance of the Folly Bridge being recognized. No Council documents exist on it, and I do not believe anyone actually does understand what it ‘could’ be!
I can offer a guided tour for any visits,
Cheers, Jo Bloom
Jbloomer69 at aol dot com
Category: Forum |
4 Comments » 
Yes it is! I have some information on this and a contact for you. We discussed it on my weblog, the Wyre Forest Agenda. I’ll dig it out.
In the meantime can I have permission to use the photo on my weblog?
OK we discussed this in ‘Tea and Sandwiches’ blog @ http://www.wfa.org.uk/?/cal/20071220. Look at the sources for that blog, particularly the University of California link. Also a blurfer, Julie Copeman, is the person you may wish to talk to. Instead of giving you her email address I’ll forward a link to this blog and she can get in touch with you, if she so wishes.
You are welcome to amend/add the wiki article on this @ http://www.wyfopedia.org.uk/index.php?title=Sandbourne_House.
I also have an old photo-postcard of the bridge, I’ll try and dig that out and scan it.
Hope this helps.
I have a load more pics and research, old maps etc of which you are most welcome to use, please get in touch.
I had met with julie and researched through the University of California but can only find details, maps, plans etc for Gertude Geykls designs for Sandbourne House gardens, this land boarders the Folly Bridge Pool land.
Great to know that others are interested in what is a beautiful little Folly.
Cheers Jo
i used to climb over this bridge every day on my way to school in the late 1970s and we used to play on the pond when it froze.a few years ago i attended the pershore college of horticulture and studied garden design and we spoke about gertrude jekyll amongst others.i am a gardener and have a client who lives in a “new” house who has in their back garden part of gertrudes sandbourne house gardens with original sandstone walls.i would be very interested in any other information you could give me about the folly bridge and sandbourne house gardens also my clients would really be intereseted
regards simon