The temple is dedicated to Minerva goddess of wisdom and the arts and was originally constructed between 1754 and 1757.

The niches on each side contained busts of Homer, Virgil, Horace, Milton, Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, Dryden and Pope.

It’s fascinating to see this picture from 2004 when the site was a ruin before restoration.
© Copyright Neil Atterby and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The Gothic Seat was reconstructed as part of the regeneration of the park, some original parts had been buried to prevent their theft, but much of it is new.

Although looking at the original you would be hard-pressed to tell.

Hardwick Park was laid out by John Burdon in the 1750s, this folly from 1764 was built with stone from Guisborough Priory


The buildings were genuinely ruined until a Heritage Lottery Grant allowed their restoration as this photo from 1972 shows.

© Copyright Stanley Howe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence