Needle's Eye
Needle's Eye in 2012
TypeFolly
LocationWentworth
Coordinates53°29′05″N 1°24′16″W / 53.48465°N 1.40441°W / 53.48465; -1.40441
OS grid referenceSK 39622 98821
AreaSouth Yorkshire
BuiltMid-late 18th century
ArchitectJohn Carr
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameNeedle's Eye
Designated29 March 1968
Reference no.1314588
Needle's Eye is located in South Yorkshire
Needle's Eye
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 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.

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

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

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.

See also

References

  1. "Monuments & Follies". Wentworth Estate. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  2. "Needle's Eye Listing Record". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2 April 2015.

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

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