Severndroog Castle

Severndroog Castle is not really a castle, more a folly.    It was built by Lady James, to commemorate her husband, Sir William James, in 1784.   It was designed by architect Richard Jupp. 

Sir William James, led an attack on 2nd April, 1755, on a pirate fortress at Suvarnadurg along the western coast of India, and destroyed it.

It always amazes me that there is always a new building or a garden or a wood to visit nearby, one that I never realised was there.  And Severndroog Castle is an example of a new find.  A lovely surprise, thanks to Kathy, who had visited the castle previously, and who very kindly took me to see it last Thursday. 

The castle/has two towers, on three levels, with one room on each level.  The staircase was built in one of the towers.   A minature castle.  Or a gatehouse to a castle.  Plus a rooftop view.

I climbed up the shallow steps, which made the climb easy, until I came to the door at the top.  A narrow wooden walkway from the doorway led to steps up to the top of the other tower.

And what a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside, even on a hazy day.  And with some very tall trees getting in the way.   Shooters Hill, is one of the highest points in London, which is probably why Lady James chose to build her castle/folly there.

The walk along the Green Chain Walk, in Oxleas Woods, was also very pleasant.  Near to the castle/folly were two landscaped gardens.  I am not sure if the gardens were part of Severndroog Castle originally or part of another estate.

A lovely afternoon.  And another beautiful historic site visited.

Stepping in the dog poo on the walk was not so lovely though.  Ugh.