Oxford's number five
Back-street wisdom has taught me that wherever we are, roam or venture, we are stranded on a small island of matter in a vast and fast-flowing river of imaginat...
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Back-street wisdom has taught me that wherever we are, roam or venture, we are stranded on a small island of matter in a vast and fast-flowing river of imagination. Now, imagine being the eccentric Joseph Caudwell, back in 1849, standing atop the Folly Bridge (where I am standing right now), marvelling at the forecourt of the very building you have just erected, on the far right. Perhaps you have my sense of humour and planned it as a folly. Who knows? It was originally named North Hinksey House, but everyone knows it as Caudwell’s Castle. To the west is the start of Folly Island, another interesting building erected some decades later.
The Age of the Romantics may have long gone and Caudwell might be stranded on an island of irrelevance, but the river still flows and while there is flow there is life. I heard the building was up for sale, a few years ago. Ruinous and derelict as it might look, there are a few prospective Lords with deep pockets in the area, who will splash the cash, refurbish it and still call it a castle. And why not? In England a man’s home is his castle.
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The Age of the Romantics may have long gone and Caudwell might be stranded on an island of irrelevance, but the river still flows and while there is flow there is life. I heard the building was up for sale, a few years ago. Ruinous and derelict as it might look, there are a few prospective Lords with deep pockets in the area, who will splash the cash, refurbish it and still call it a castle. And why not? In England a man’s home is his castle.
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Jul, 2017Views
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MicktheGreek
July 27, 2017
Cheers Jen! I must admit I was gazing at the foot of the building thinking it was abandoned, although it is not quite...
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MicktheGreek
July 27, 2017
Cheers Mark! I think there is a monster in the river, which might explain the missing people in the last few years...
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petercundill
August 06, 2017
Great story my friend, I agree I think it's a folly. Very fashionable in years gone by but unique in the fact that they're buildings of type and this is not! Would it not be prone to flooding as the river rises?
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MicktheGreek
August 15, 2017
Every time I walk past there, go on the bridge and to the Head of the River for a beer, I can't help staring at it. It is such a contrasting setting!
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