Belchamp Walter Folly, Essex...

Around 1871 a sham castle folly was built in the park belonging to Belchamp Hall to act as an eyecatcher from the gardens.  It is a square tower-like structure of rubble and large blocks of re-used stone.  The north front has a pointed arched door.  Internally there is a small octagonal panelled room with domed plaster ceiling … I want one!  

The surrounding countryside is just lovely....

Belchamp Walter Hall … where a lot of the TV programme Lovejoy was shot …

The Hall is near the church (or vice versa)…."archeological finds have been made in the church indicating a Roman presence" according to the village website, Gestingthorpe being just down t'road where there was a significant Roman site....

Belchamp Walter itself is a little gem, and so are its residents, who were very pleased to pass the time of day and share information about their lovely village  ….

The village is said to be named after the Anglo Saxon word for the ridge that runs between Belchamp Walter and Belchamp St Paul.  The Walter part is said to refer to Walter de Tey, so now we know!