Needle's Eye

Needle's Eye
Needle's Eye in 2015
Type Folly
Location Wentworth
Coordinates 53°29′05″N 1°24′16″W / 53.48465°N 1.40441°W / 53.48465; -1.40441
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
Location of Needle's Eye in South Yorkshire

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

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 Marquis of Rockingham claimed he was able to "drive a coach and horses through an eye of a needle". John Carr designed Needle's Eye[1] alongside some other follies in the area.

Musket holes seen on one side of the Needle's Eye

Musket holes can be seen on one side of the structure, most of which are approximately head height; this suggests execution by firing squad has taken place at the building.[2]

Location

Needle's Eye is situated between two disused horse and carriage paths. The area is open to public.

Structure

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Needle's Eye Listing Record". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Britain's Best Architectural Follies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2015.

Coordinates: 53°29′05″N 1°24′16″W / 53.48465°N 1.40441°W / 53.48465; -1.40441

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