The Barn from Middle Earth
Hidden away in a field in Tetbury in Gloucestershire is one of the most extraordinary modern follies in the United Kingdom. Here, in the late 1990s, stained glass artist and sheep farmer, Colin Stokes constructed a rambling stone barn and sheep fold from honey coloured lumps of Cotswold stone, lying around as clitter in surrounding fields in the late 20th century.
Every stone was cemented in by hand by Colin himself and like Topsy it just grew. There are turrets and stained glass windows and narrow stairways and attics and enclosures. The building extends up and out and around and defies description. It could be a castle for a sleeping beauty, a giant hermitage constructed by a mad hermit, or even a monstrous hobbit hole.
Colin’s barn would probably be growing still if the project had not, unsurprisingly, eventually attracted the attention of developers who moved in to buy the adjacent site. Reluctantly Colin sold up and moved to southern Scotland. Our visit in July 2007 was his first return visit since then. Guarded by curious frisky ponies and frequented by sheep, the structure remains remarkably intact but the trees are growing up and one day it will be covered up and disappear completely. Who knows then what future generations will make of it?
Lovely, thanks very much for posting this delightful piece!
I live near here and I have never heard of it. How do i find it ??
Sorry I was taken on a private visit in a car convoy and have no idea how we got there once we left the main roads!
I live near here and I have never heard of it. How do i find it ?? ?
I visited it in a convoy with members of the Folly Fellowship and we approached it down a series of tracks. Then I managed to rip a lump off my car by reversing over a lump of concrete when parking. Then the field where it is located was guarded by some rather aggressive ponies. So I was a bit distracted when I finally got to see it! As a result I could not tell you how to find it to save my life…..sorry. You could try approaching the Folly Fellowship. I don’t have a current contact but you should be able to find them on the internet. I do have a film clip of it I took on my camera which I will try to load onto Youtube and provide a link here.
Hi there follyfancier!
I would love to go and take some pics of this place myself, i have been pouring over maps for hours and just cant seem to find it. I would be eternally grateful if you could pass on the knowledge of where this amazing place is? my email is astrallamb@hotmail.com
Thanks
Yours hopefully
Chris M
You know Chris I have been asked this before and I really can’t remember. We went in a convoy down several lanes and farm tracks and as I parked, I backed my car over a large rock and ripped a lump out of the rear bumper. I was so distracted I really cannot remember how we got there. We went on a trip with the Folly Fellowship – if you look up their website and send them an email they may be able to help.
Thanks Follyfancier
I will try to get in touch with them. I have asked various other people and I have been told that the owner has upped the security and is considering adding to the site! So its probably best to give it some time.
Thanks for your reply!
Chris. 😀
Hi Folly fancier would really like to vist this place please could you give me directions I live in tetbury
elaine2002ok@yahoo.co.uk
kind regards
elaine
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Why is there no comission who makes it an architectural monument?
They should secure it and preserved it from decay.
It is so stunning beautiful why they wait till it decays?
The new owner should repair it, or rent or sell it to someon who wants to live there. All is better than just let it go to dust again. Is the architect still alive? Maybe we should make a petition to save it for the future.
Its a shame that burocratic people cant see if someones giftet like Gaudi
Colin Stokes should be memorised. If he still lives he should be helped building more such places he is really talented. I studied myself art and this is just one of the best things I have seen.
I recently visited Colin’s Barn while on holiday in the UK.absolutely amazing!!
It is possible to find it by using information on various forums & google earth 🙂
believe me half the fun is tracking down exactly where it is 😀