A series of single-storey buildings roofed by upturned boats and approached through two castle-like turrets with balconies and backed by a tower topped with a church spire. Its nwnpr. John Smith was its owner, he built the Folly on the waste land beneath the White Cliffs in 1791 ,he was no fool, though he is remembered now more for his eccentric old age than for his youthful military distinction. Capt. John Smith as he was entitled to be addressed, he was the son of Capt Edward Smith commander of the battleship Eltham. He himself enlisted in the Guards and was destined for a brilliant military career. But with heroic loyalty he resigned his commission in 1759 when his friend Lord George Sackville, M.P. for Dover, was unjustly expelled from his post as Commander of all British Forces at Minden in Germany.

The Dover Express said later that he possessed "the good old Dover quality of standing by his friend." Little is known of John Smith's life, until he built his folly. He became an Usher to the Queen at the Court of George III, married and had two sons both of whom rose to spectacular heights. Sydney went to sea at the age of 12 and became Admiral Sir Sydney Smith. Spencer Smith was appointed Ambassador to Constantinople.

When he retired to Dover it was in character that this staunchly patriotic, benevolent and highly honourable man should build himself a bulwark facing the sea he loved: a bulwark on the bulwark shore to shut out the changing world he had come to dislike. He erected a mausoleum in the cliffs and asked to be interred there. But his wishes were ignored and the place where the tomb once stood is now marked by the splendid wrought iron entrance to the Guildford Tunnels.

John Smith

When the winter winds howled and the tides raced around the foot of East Cliff during the early 19th century, they were often watched by a defiant old man who had built his retirement home and lived there, alone, at the very edge of the sea. "Smith's Folly" was such stuff as dreams are made of.

John Smith's Folly inspired Charles Dickens' description of Mr. Peggoty's amazing boat-house in David Copperfield.