Introduction
Brightling, a quiet village in the High Weald, hides a collection of follies built by John “Mad Jack” Fuller (1757–1834). Fuller was an MP, philanthropist, and notorious eccentric whose wealth and imagination left behind a unique landscape of monuments.
This walk follows a loop around Brightling, taking in all six follies: the Pyramid, Tower, Temple, Sugarloaf, Observatory, and Needle.
Here’s a short flyover reel showing the route in OS Maps 3D, with photos of each folly along the way.
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The Pyramid
Standing in Brightling churchyard, the 25-foot Pyramid is Fuller’s own tomb. Legend has it he is buried upright inside, so he could rise facing east on Judgement Day.
Built in 1811, it dominates the churchyard and is the most famous of his follies.
View Brightling Pyramid on Google Maps
The Tower
Brightling Tower rises on a ridge above the High Weald. Built in 1813, it’s said Fuller wanted to watch ships coming into the English Channel — though at nearly 10 miles inland, it seems unlikely.
Today the Tower is a striking landmark on the walk.
View Brightling Tower on Google Maps
The Temple
Tucked away in the fields is the Grecian-style Temple. Used for Fuller’s gatherings and amusements, it shows his taste for classical design.
Now surrounded by farmland, it adds a surprising touch of ancient Greece to the Sussex countryside.
View Brightling Tower on Google Maps
The Sugarloaf
The Sugarloaf is perhaps the most curious — a conical stone monument with no clear purpose. Local tales suggest it was built to hide the brickwork of a smuggler’s kiln.
Others think it was simply another of Fuller’s eccentric whims.
View Brightling Sugarloaf on Google Maps
The Observatory
Fuller was a supporter of science, and in 1810 he funded the building of an Observatory on the edge of Brightling.
Though it is no longer in use, the building is a reminder of his patronage of astronomy.
View Brightling Observatory on Google Maps
The Needle
The final folly is the Needle, a tall obelisk standing stark on the hill. Its purpose remains uncertain — perhaps to mark an estate boundary, or perhaps simply to bewilder posterity.
Whatever the reason, it completes the set of follies around Brightling.
View Brightling Temple on Google Maps
Practical Info
- Location: Brightling, East Sussex, in the heart of the High Weald.
- Access: The follies are scattered around the village; OS Maps or a GPS route is recommended. Parking is possible in Brightling village.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring through autumn for clear paths and views across the High Weald.
- Nearby:
