Keppel's Column
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox historic site
| native_name =
| native_language =
| image = Keppels Column.jpg
| caption = Keppel's Column
| type = Folly
| locmapin = South Yorkshire
| coordinates = {{coord|53.447931|N|1.415144|W|region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| gbgridref = SK 38941 94731
| location = Wentworth
| area = South Yorkshire
| built = 1773-1780
| architect = John Carr
| architecture =
| governing_body =
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| designation1 = Grade II*
| designation1_offname = Keppels Column
| designation1_date = 19 February 1986
| designation1_number = {{listed building England|1314632}}
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Keppel's Column is a {{convert|115|ft|m|sing=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101314632-keppels-column-keppel-ward|title=Keppels Column, Keppel, Rotherham|first=|last=|website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|accessdate=11 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wentworthvillage.net/keppelscolumn.shtml |title=Keppel's Column |publisher=wentworthvillage.net |accessdate=13 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509133814/http://www.wentworthvillage.net/keppelscolumn.shtml |archivedate=9 May 2008 }}{{NHLE|num=1314632|desc=Keppels Column|accessdate=11 March 2018}} tower Grade II* listed building between Wentworth and Kimberworth in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. Keppel's Column is one of several follies in and around Wentworth Woodhouse park; the others include Hoober Stand and Needle's Eye.
History
The column was built in the late-18th century to commemorate the acquittal of the court-martialled Admiral Augustus Keppel after the Battle of Ushant. It was commissioned in 1773 by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham and designed by John Carr. The column was finished in 1780. It was initially intended to be a landscape feature composed of pedestal surmounted by an obelisk, though at some stage the design was changed to a tall column.
In October 2021, the column was one of 142 sites across England to receive part of a £35-million grant from the government's Culture Recovery Fund.{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/heritage-and-craft-workers-across-england-given-a-helping-hand/ |title=Heritage and Craft Workers Across England Given a Helping Hand |publisher= Historic England|date= 22 October 2021|accessdate=23 October 2021}}
Structure
It visibly bulges due to an entasis correction, which was rendered inappropriate when funding problems reduced the height. The column, which has an internal spiral staircase, is located on a prominent hill on the southern extent of the Wentworth Estates. The hill is more than {{cvt|480|ft}} above mean sea level and is one of the highest hills in the Borough of Rotherham, second only to the hill on which Hoober Stand is located.
Keppel's Column had been closed to the public since the 1960s{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crumbling-heritage-action-call-town-s-historic-buildings-at-risk-council-is-warned-1-2541857|title=Crumbling heritage action call Town's historic buildings at risk, council is warned|work=The Yorkshire Post|accessdate=11 March 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311140919/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crumbling-heritage-action-call-town-s-historic-buildings-at-risk-council-is-warned-1-2541857|archivedate=11 March 2018|url-status=dead}} due to being unsafe, as it was in a derelict state, but was reopened to the public in September 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/keppels-column-115ft-yorkshire-tower-with-links-to-wentworth-woodhouse-to-open-to-public-for-first-time-since-1960s-3827115|title=Keppel's Column: 115ft Yorkshire tower with links to Wentworth Woodhouse to open to public for first time since 1960s|work=The Yorkshire Post|accessdate=21 September 2022}}
The column can be viewed at close quarters from the public footpath running from Admiral's Crest in Scholes.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|Keppel's column}}
- http://www.holisticfraternity.co.uk/Keppels.html
Category:Buildings and structures in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in South Yorkshire
Category:Towers in South Yorkshire
Category:Folly towers in England