After we retirned from holiday, we had a party with family from near and far to celebrate our 25th anniversary.
My sister and my nephew and neice stayed on for a few days afterwards, so we had time to explore a few local sights.
On the monday they enjoyed a visit to teh National Space Centre in Leicester, before we had a wander in Bradgate Park around Old John Tower.
Old John is a folly atop the highest hill in Bradgate Park. It was built in 1784, by Thomas Sketchley of Anstey as a mock ruin.
It is well known for its "mug-shape" — there was a longer section of wall adjoining the tower after the 19th century extension but this reduced in size over the years leaving the present 'handle' shape. The mug shape has given rise to false accounts of the tower's origins supposedly relating to a beer-loving miller who was killed after being hit by a pole during a bonfire.
