Hoober Stand
The Southern Door
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It was built in 1746-48 at the command of Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquis of Rockingham, ostensibly to celebrate the defeat of the second Jacobite uprising, although many suggest that his real reason in building it was to mark his elevation in 1746 to the Marquisate. Until 1746, he had held the title Earl of Malton and upon his elevation, that title passed to his only surviving son, Charles. The building was designed by the architect, Henry Flitcroft and the cost of its construction was £3000.
The folly is a three sided pyramid, in Ionic style. Each of its three sides is 42 feet wide at ground level and begins with a slightly tapering base over twice the height of a man. From the top of the base, the walls narrow at a greater angle to end at an iron railed platform, 24 feet wide on each side, about 85 feet from the ground. Entrance is by way of a door on the southern wall, and from there a spiral staircase of 155 steps winding to the left ascends to the viewing platform. The staircase is lighted by five recessed windows, each provided with a seat for the weary. It finally emerges under an octagonal domed cupola some 15 feet in height which brings the total height of Hoober Stand to a little under 100 feet. From the platform, and given a clear day, it is possible to see York Minster some forty miles distant.
Hoober Stand has suffered from mining subsidence and from lightning strike and, until recently, was closed to the public for reasons of safety. It has recently been restored by its owners, the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust, created as a charitable trust in 1979 by the tenth Earl Fitzwilliam, and visitors were allowed into the building again in the year 2000. It is open only from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons between Spring Bank Holiday and August Bank Holiday. A small admission fee is charged. In 2000, this was £1.50.
Access to the ground on which the building stands is free and by it runs a footpath well frequented by the locals. At the drop of a hat and a cheery word about their dogs, the older locals will tell you of their childhood when they freely played in Hoober Stand.
Photographs of Hoober Stand
1. The view approaching from the north-east.
2. The north-east wall rising from the high base.
3. Detail of stonework on the north-east base.
4. The south wall, looking upwards from the doorway.
5. The doorway and inscription on the south wall.
6. Detail of the inscription over the doorway.
7. The south-eastern corner.
8. The forbidding northern corner.
Further information about Hoober Stand and the beautiful village of Wentworth is available at Wentworth Village: Hoober Stand
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Ink Amera |
(C) David 6/9/2007 |
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