The Mad Jack Fuller Folly Trail is a 7.5 km self guided walk at Brightling in East Sussex that takes you via six extraordinary follies build by Jack Fuller. There are sign posts that mark the way.
Who was Mad Jack?
John Jack Fuller (aka Mad Jack) was quite a character. Born in 1757, he was christened in Heathfield and in 1777, he inherited Rose Hill Estate (now Brightling Park) near Robertsbridge. He went on to become an MP, High Sheriff of Sussex and a Captain in the Sussex Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry. He also saved Bodiam Castle from demolition, financed the building of the Belle Tout Lighthouse and built a series of extraordinarily follies in and around his home. He did both good deeds and bad (he owned plantations in Jamaica) and he was known for liking his drink. Indeed, on one occasion, he got thrown out of Parliament. He died in 1834 and is buried at Brightling.
The Mad Jack Fuller Folly Trail
Park at Brightling (in between Heathfield and Robertsbridge) although note there is limited parking and if you can’t park there, try The Swan Inn at Dallington (although do please ask their permission first).
Folly 1 – The Pyramid
In the church yard in Brightling you’ll see a large pyramid. It is 25 feet square and 25 feet high and this is where Fuller is buried. Strictly speaking, this is not a folly (as a folly is something built without a purpose). Local legend has it that inside you will find Fuller seated at a table with a bottle of claret. However, you can’t actually enter inside and in any event, the legend is not true.
Folly 2 – The Tower
From Brightling, head south east, and take the footpath across the fields. Then take the first footpath to your right and you’ll arrive at The Tower. It’s a walk of less than 1 km from the village. The official walk guidance says that you can climb The Tower but when we walked it, you very definitely could not. If you could, apparently, you would be able to see Bodiam Castle from the top.
Folly 3 – The Temple
From The Tower, carry straight on and when you get to the road, turn right a little and then left at Ox Lodge and down the hill. You follow the dirt road and then turn right at the farm buildings, and then left. It’s about 1 km from The Tower when you see the Rotunda Temple. You can’t get up close but you can see it on the crest of the hill. Apparently, Fuller held wild parties here with local “ladies”. The lakes and gardens you have passed through were designed by Capability Brown and you may have noticed a Shepherds Hut where you can stay.
Folly 4 – The Sugar Loaf
Walk on another 2 km following the footpath. It takes you into Mansbrook Wood. Just after you cross a stream turn right and up a hill, and then left, following the signs until you get to The Sugar Loaf. The story goes that Fuller bet a friend he could see Dallington church spire from his estate and quickly had The Sugar Loaf built so that he wouldn’t lose the bet. The Sugar Loaf has had an interesting history and people once lived in it. If you parked at The Swan Inn, this is where you pick up the trail.
Folly 5 – The Observatory
Head north now, up the country lane from The Swan Inn towards Stacey’s Corner. At the fork in the road, you go left. After about 1.5 km from The Sugar Loaf, you come to The Observatory. Unfortunately, this is now part of a private house and when we were there, they had grown a big hedge so you really can’t see this folly. However, it is a cylindrical tower which once housed sophisticated telescopes and photographic equipment. It is also thought that Turner also painted a number of landscapes from here.
Folly 6 – The Needle
Carry on up the lane until the next junction and turn left. About half a kilometre from The Observatory you should be able to see The Needle (aka the Obelisk). Again, there is no access but it stands proud in a field to your right. This is one of the highest points in Sussex and the story about this folly is that it was built to celebrate Wellington’s Victory over Napoleon in 1815.
From here, retrace your steps to the last junction and go straight across. After another 2 km, you’ll find yourself back in Brightling. These days, Brightling Park has a racing yard, sheep farm, pheasant shoot and a selection of holiday cottages including the Shepherds Hut.
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