A brief history of Hodon's Folly...
1868 - John Hodson, a butler at Pembroke College, bought the land with his uncle. It was originally used as a working garden and for fishing.
1896 - The Folly was built, complete with Hodson’s coat of arms. The garden became a place of leisure where Hodson would sit and watch his daughter swimming in the river.
1900 - John Hodson lost his fortune in the notorious Whitaker Wright railway scam.
1901 - The Garden was sold to local brewer Frederick Dale, who used the space to entertain friends and guests while watching rowing and punting on the river.
1936 - The Council obtained the land and it became part of Coe Fen.
2014 - The Folly was vandalised and graffitied and has now fallen into disrepair.
2016 - Carter Jonas launches restoration of the Folly.
With it's interesting and varied history, the Folly is a unique Cambridge landmark.
We want to create a beautiful community space in the heart of the city, for all to enjoy.
Carter Jonas has kick started the fund with a donation of £1,000.
Help us reach our target of £16K and let's preserve this piece of Cambridge history for another 120 years.
All funds raised will go towards the restoration of the Folly.
1868 - John Hodson, a butler at Pembroke College, bought the land with his uncle. It was originally used as a working garden and for fishing.
1896 - The Folly was built, complete with Hodson’s coat of arms. The garden became a place of leisure where Hodson would sit and watch his daughter swimming in the river.
1900 - John Hodson lost his fortune in the notorious Whitaker Wright railway scam.
1901 - The Garden was sold to local brewer Frederick Dale, who used the space to entertain friends and guests while watching rowing and punting on the river.
1936 - The Council obtained the land and it became part of Coe Fen.
2014 - The Folly was vandalised and graffitied and has now fallen into disrepair.
2016 - Carter Jonas launches restoration of the Folly.
With it's interesting and varied history, the Folly is a unique Cambridge landmark.
We want to create a beautiful community space in the heart of the city, for all to enjoy.
Carter Jonas has kick started the fund with a donation of £1,000.
Help us reach our target of £16K and let's preserve this piece of Cambridge history for another 120 years.
All funds raised will go towards the restoration of the Folly.