Sham Castle

The Sham Castle at Bathampton is a Grade II listed building dating from 1762. It was built for the entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ralph Allen (Born 1693 – Died 29 June 1764), who perhaps haunts it still.

The following extract is taken from an article by David Brandon and Alan Brooke which was published in The Guardian on 31 October 2009. ‘Overlooking the fair city of Bath is a delightful little folly known as “Ralph Allen’s Sham Castle”, built by an 18th-century wheeler-dealer. He is said to return from time to time on dark nights to ensure that his little architectural whimsy is as it should be.’