Dunster dovecote

The dovecote at Dunster, Somerset, is probably medieval in origin, perhaps built by the monks of the Benedictine priory. Its circular shape with no windows, an entrance door, and entrance from above for the doves, is widely used in such buildings, and this form was retained through the rebuildings of the C18 and C19.

The interior has 501 nest holes and it was from these that the newly hatched nestlings (called squabs) would have been collected to provide fresh meat. During winter the older birds were gathered to provide meat at a time of year when it was scarce. The rotating ladder called the "potence" allowed easy access to the holes.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: iPhone

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe at 556 feet (169 metres). However, for all its length it is not very tall and looks smaller than it is due to the crossing tower being quite low and the absence of other tall external features. When you also consider that the surrounding buildings are quite close then the photographer is presented with a challenge when it comes to capturing a of the exterior.

A walk around the cathedral gives the visitor an impression of a building that grew piecemeal rather than from an overarching plan. However, that view is based on a single visit in glaring light. Subsequent visits might moderate that impression. The first photograph shows the south transept and crossing tower, the second adds a view of the east end.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

St Mary, Fairford, Gloucestershire

The church of St Mary in Fairford, Gloucestershire, can be dated by documentary evidence to a rebuilding of c.1490. Its style is what architectural historians would describe as Late Perpendicular. Noteworthy are the distinctive and very individual sculptures of the exterior, and, on the morning I took my photograph, the warm, creamy Cotswold stone. However, what informed visitors usually come to see at this church is the most complete sequence of stained glass windows of its date in England (see next post).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

St Mary, Ripple, Worcestershire

Last year we visited the very charmingly named Worcestershire village of Ripple and tried to gain access to the church. It was locked. However, the exterior seemed to promise much and we determined then to try again, which we did in December when it happened to be open (see a following post). As far as the exterior goes the unbuttressed tower and some narrow, rounded arch windows tell of Norman beginnings, the tower top balustrade are clearly Georgian, and some columns and traceried windows speak of early and later Gothic work. For such a small village it is a large and imposing church. This can be attributed to the fact that it was a possession of Worcester Cathedral Priory and may well be on the site of a former Saxon minster.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Rotunda, Croome Court

The rotunda (or garden temple) at Croome Court dates from c.1760 and is probably the work of Robert Adam. It stands on a rise a couple of hundred yards from the main house and is almost surrounded by conifers that are thought to be contemporary with the building. The exterior is made of Bath stone. It has a shallow dome, five pedimented windows and one entrance, each of which has a swag above. 

The interior has fine decorative Rococo plasterwork featuring egg and dart, paterae, cartouches, masks and swags, with coffering above. The floor has a central circled sunburst with Greek key edging the room.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300