Racton Monument

Racton Monument stands on a hill near Stoughton in West Sussex. It is a folly built between 1766 and 1775 for the 2nd Earl of Halifax, either as a summerhouse or to watch ships at Emsworth. The architect was Theodosius Keene, son of Henry Keene. The building has a triangular base with a round turret at each corner. It was originally faced with flints and stood four storeys high, but now it is a ruin with no floors or roof left. The folly is privately owned by architect Mark Talbot. In 2020 the South Downs National Park Authority refused his plans to convert it into a dwelling. Concerns were raised about the scale and appearance of the proposed changes. Talbot had earlier received planning consent in 1991, but work never began and the permission expired in 2013. Visitors find a crumbling red-brick structure with peeling flints and broken windows. Reports describe severe deterioration, especially on the south and west sides. The site has suffered from fly tipping, illegal gatherings and paranormal investigations. Local stories mention ghostly sightings, including flying bricks and a disappearing ghost tractor. Despite its ruined state, the monument still offers wide views over Chichester Harbour and towards the Isle of Wight.