Folly

Apparently I haven't blipped this before. It is the Penshaw Monument, a most excellent folly near Shiney Row, between Washington and Houghton le Spring in what is now Tyne and Wear (formerly County Durham - I hate when they change boundaries).

The story goes that the Earl of Lambton did not charge his tenants rent and they were so grateful that they had it built for him while he was away one time. When he came back and saw the magnificent building he realised his tenants must be rich and started charging them rent!