Mow Cop Castle

Mow Cop Castle stands on a ridge that marks the boundary between Cheshire and Staffordshire. The folly was built in 1754 by Randle Wilbraham as a summerhouse and circular tower designed to look like medieval ruins. It was meant to resemble a fortress in decay, not a real castle. The ridge itself has a long history, with traces of a prehistoric camp and Iron Age querns found nearby. Millstones quarried here once supplied water mills across the region. The site also played a role in early Methodism, hosting a large gathering in 1937. The castle was given to the National Trust in 1937, the same year thousands of Methodists gathered to mark a historic camp from 1807. At the turn of the millennium, it was chosen as one of many UK locations for a flaming beacon on New Year’s Eve 1999. Though visitors can no longer enter the tower, a metal gate still allows views inside. The folly appears in Alan Garner’s novel *Red Shift*, linking it to local literary heritage. Visitors find a grassy hilltop with wide views over the surrounding countryside. The circular tower and ruined-style walls stand out against the skyline. The ridge offers walking paths and quiet spots to explore. Nearby, remnants of old quarries and prehistoric finds hint at the site’s long past. The National Trust maintains the area, though access to the tower is restricted. It remains a landmark for both history and literature.