Sway, Hampshire

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Sway is a village in Hampshire in the New Forest in England.

The parish was formed in 1849, when 2208 acres were taken from the extensive parish of Boldre.

The village has a railway station on the main line from Weymouth and Bournemouth to Southampton and London Waterloo with train services operated by South West Trains. From Brockenhurst, one can catch the "Lymington Flyer" services connect with the ferry to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Much of the children's novel Children of the New Forest is set in the countryside surrounding Sway.

Sway is twinned with the village of Bretteville, France.

[edit] Sway Tower

Sway is perhaps best known for Sway Tower. At 66 metres (200 feet), it is the tallest folly in the world. It is a Grade II listed building. It is also known as "Peterson's Folly"

Built by Judge Andrew Thomas Turton Peterson on his private estate from 1879-1885, its design was influenced by the follies Peterson had seen during his time in India. It is constructed entirely out of Portland cement, supported by iron joists. At the time it was built, it was the tallest concrete structure in the world.

It was originally designed as a mausoleum, with a perpetual light at the top. However this was not allowed, as it was thought the light would confuse shipping.

The tower is visible from much of the New Forest, and most of the western Solent. A smaller 50-foot folly, built as a 'prototype', stands in a group of trees to the north of the taller tower.