- Sway, Hampshire
Sway is a
village inHampshire in theNew Forest inEngland .The parish was formed in
1849 , when 2208 acres were taken from the extensive parish ofBoldre .The village has a railway station on the main line from
Weymouth andBournemouth toSouthampton andLondon Waterloo with train services operated bySouth West Trains . FromBrockenhurst , one can catch the "Lymington Flyer" services connect with the ferry to Yarmouth on theIsle of Wight .Much of the children's novel
Children of the New Forest is set in the countryside surrounding Sway.Sway is twinned with the village of
Bretteville ,France .way Tower
Sway is perhaps best known for "Sway Tower". At 66 metres (200 feet), it is the tallest
folly in the world. It is aGrade II listed building. It is also known as "Peterson's Folly"Built by
Judge Andrew Thomas Turton Peterson on his private estate from1879 -1885 , its design was influenced by thefollies Peterson had seen during his time inIndia . It is constructed entirely out ofPortland cement , supported by iron joists. At the time it was built, it was the tallest concrete structure in the world.It was originally designed as a
mausoleum , with a perpetual light at the top. However this was not allowed, as it was thought the light would confuse shipping.The tower is visible from much of the New Forest, and most of the western
Solent . A smaller 50-foot folly, built as a 'prototype', stands in a group of trees to the north of the taller tower.External links
* [http://www.follytowers.com/swaytxt.html History and photographs of Sway Tower]
* [http://www.thenewforest.net New Forest Community Media] - A not-for-profit media site serving the National Park
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