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Historic Hawkstone Follies
The Shropshire Victorian theme park still thrilling visitors today
“And here’s your torch,” said the young man behind the desk.
“I need a torch?”
He nodded. “There’s no lighting in the tunnels and the ground is uneven underfoot.”
I took it from him, tentatively, wondering what I was letting myself in for.
The Grade I listed pleasure grounds of Hawkstone Park lie a few miles north of Shrewsbury. It’s a landscape of soft red sandstone cliffs, an arboretum with over 150 tree species, and has some fascinating follies.
During the 18th century, it was one of the most visited places in Britain.
Famous people, like Dr Samuel Johnson and Erasmus Darwin, flocked here for the thrills and excitement of this parkland. You could say, in its heyday, Hawkstone Park was a theme park.
“There are a couple of escape routes, here and here, if the trail gets too much,” says the assistant, pointing at the map.
Escape routes? Now I’m panicking!
