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Tower or folly

Old John

Bradgate Park, Leicestershire

A tower shaped like a beer mug, built for a miller killed at a bonfire party.

Old John stands on the highest point of Bradgate Park, the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey, the nine-days queen. Local tradition says it was built in memory of an old miller called John, who was killed when a flagpole fell during a bonfire party for the heir's coming of age.

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When
Built 1784
Where
52.6866, -1.2355
Group
Towers & follies

Visiting

Bradgate Park is free to enter and open all year.

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