Needle's Eye
Needle's Eye is a 14-metre (46 ft) pyramid Grade II* listed building which is situated in Wentworth, South Yorkshire in northern England. Needle's Eye is one of several follies in and around Wentworth Woodhouse park; the others include Hoober Stand and Keppel's Column.
| Needle's Eye | |
|---|---|
 Needle's Eye in 2015 | |
| Type | Folly |
| Location | Wentworth |
| Coordinates | 53°29′05″N 1°24′16″W |
| OS grid reference | SK 39622 98821 |
| Area | South Yorkshire |
| Built | Mid-late 18th century |
| Architect | John Carr |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Needle's Eye |
| Designated | 29 March 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1314588 |
  Location of Needle's Eye in South Yorkshire | |
History
It was constructed approximately in the mid-late 18th century and believed to have been made in order to win a wager, where the second Marquess of Rockingham claimed he was able to "drive a coach and horses through an eye of a needle". John Carr designed Needle's Eye[1] alongside some other follies in the area.
Location
Needle's Eye is situated between two disused horse and carriage paths. The area is open to public.
Structure
It is a pyramid made of sandstone topped with a funerary urn, encompassing an archway of approximately 3-metre (9.8 ft). The wideness of the archway is roughly enough for a coach and horses to pass through, which fits its alleged purpose of creation.
References
- "Needle's Eye Listing Record". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2 April 2015.