Chester, Anchorite Cell

The Anchorite Cell
Chester

This beautiful sandstone building can be found on the North banks of the River Dee as it winds its way through Chester. As you walk along the river bank, the first view of the building, is through a wooded area, a screen of trees breaking your view.

However, if you continue walking along the river bank, and instead of crossing the Dee on the footbridge, take a left up the steep path, an unblocked view can be had of the building out across the old bowling green.

The building has been built on a sandstone outcrop, and was erected in 1363. Legend has it that after the battle of Hastings, King Harold, wounded but not dead (as history would tell us) was brought here to live out the rest of his days. However....the building is thought to have been the retreat for an anchorite, or religious hermit. There is also evidence to suggest that it may have been a private chapel, or an oratory, much the same as Keld Chapel near Shap in Cumbria.

Cautley, St Mark

St Mark
Cautley
Cumbria

The church of St Mark can be found about two and a half miles North East of Sedbergh on the A683.

Built in 1847, to designs by William Butterfield, it was later restored in 1997\1998. Butterfield was responsible for St Michael's at Lamplugh, restoration work on St Bega's priory at St Bees and restoration work on St Bridget's at Brigham. He was also responsible for churches and other buildings as far a field as London, Derbyshire, Perth, Winchester and Rugby. Check the link for more photos.

It's generally thought that this was one of his earliest commissions. This tiny church is a member of the united parish of Cautley, Sedbergh and Garsdale.

Mike Salter describes this little church in a rather off-hand manner, saying it is "small and of little interest"!!! He's wrong, and I think it deserves a visit, and appears to be open most days. It's a pretty little church, and is in some fantastic countryside, with Brant Fell to its West, and Baugh Fell to the East. The drive from Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen is stunning.

Cartmel Fell, St Anthony

St Anthony
Cartmel Fell
nr Levens
Cumbria

This tiny 16th century church can be found in a delightful location, some seven miles West of Levens, sandwiched between Whitbarrow Scar and the Southern tip of Windermere. The building is thought to have been built in the early 1500's, possibly in around 1505. In 1561, Anthony Knipe claimed that the church was erected by his father some fifty years earlier...hence the tentative date of 1505.

The window, shown below, is to be found in the east end of the chancel, above the altar, and contains mostly 15th century glass, thought to have been taken from Cartmel Priory.

It consists of a single chamber....nave and chancel , with a tiny vestry (added at a later date) in the North wall of the tower. Some sources state that the small saddle back tower was unfinished.

The pews are all made of the same dark wood. The pew shown above is the Burblethwaite pew, and probably dates from the 17th century. Much of this structure was rebuilt and repaired in 1810.

The pew shown in the above photos is the Cowmire pew, dating from the 16th century, and was probably for use by the Briggs family of Cowmire Hall some mile and a half to the North.

The tower is open to the nave, and contains the font.

Another view of the East window with glass from Cartmel Priory.

The three decker pulpit probably dates from the late 16th or early 17th century.

A view of the nave looking from the west end of the church. The Cowmire pew is to the left of the photo, and the Burblethwaite pew is on the right.

A view of the Southern exterior of the church.

The saddleback tower looking from the West.

Another view of the church from the South.

This beautiful little church is open most days, and as well as the obvious pleasure of exploring the interior, it is also well worth spending some time in the church yard and the surrounding fell side.

Burton in Kendal, St James

St James
Burton in Kendal
Cumbria

St James lays on the Northern extremities of Burton in Kendal, dominating the North of the village as you travel along the A6070. The main feature of the church has to be the sturdy looking 12th century tower, and with its 4 foot thick walls, there was always going to be suggestions that a structure of this strength, with its thick walls and lack of external door, was built as a place of refuge. It's not to be though, as the tower is open to the nave, through a huge arch, probably dating from the 12th century....which would mean that the whole of the church would have had to have been included in the defences....a highly unlikely situation.

What we have though, is a church with a North and South aisle, a chapel on the south wall and a chancel, all dating from the 14th century.

The vestry, shown below, is Victorian, as are the diagonal buttresses which can just be seen on the walls in the same photo.

Most of the windows in the South wall, are from the 14th century, as are some of the windows in the North wall.

The church possesses fragments of a Saxon cross shaft, carved with interlaced\knot patterns, chevrons, depictions of Christ and a wheel head. As I've not visited the church on days when it's open, I've still to photograph the interior....so there will most likely be another set of photos of this church to follow.

Brougham, St Wilfreds

St Wilfred
Brougham Hall
Brougham
Cumbria

St Wilfreds can be found about a mile and a half South of Penrith, and lays in an area rich in history and fantastic sites (Penrith town and castle, Brougham Castle and Roman fort, Brougham Hall, Eamont Bridge, Mayburgh Henge and Arthur's Round Table to name a few.) The church lays less than fifty yards to the North of Brougham Hall (indeed the church yard is linked by a footbridge across the road that directly accesses the Hall's courtyard). It was built by Anne Clifford, Countess of Pembroke, in 1658, on the site of an earlier church.

The church is a single chambered building, with only a wooden screen separating the Nave from the Chancel. In 1840, Lord Brougham refurnished the interior of the church with imported Flemish, German and French carved panels and triptychs, as well as a beautiful altar piece. See the Visit Cumbria web site photos of this fantastic wood work.The East window has some 14th century glass in it, possibly from the original church here.

View from the footbridge over the B6262 showing the chapel in the courtyard of Brougham Hall.

The footbridge from the church yard.

The church yard is freely accessible, although I don't think that the church is left open for visitors. It may be a case of sneaking a look after any services. There is free parking nearby, and it is well worth taking time out to explore the hall next door.

Bootle, St Michael

St Michael
Bootle
Nr Millom
Cumbria

This great looking red and grey church, can be found in the small village of Bootle some ten miles to the North West of Millom. Sheltering under the shadows of Black Combe to the South East, it is a welcome flash of colour. The drive along the A595 between Millom and Muncaster is a beautiful coastal tour, stretching some 20 miles or so. There are a number of picturesque villages to visit along the way. St Michael's lays at the Northern tip of the village, and is open most days for inspection.

There are elements of Norman architecture in this church, with a tower dating from the 1860's or 1870's.

The above hatchment belongs to Richard Hutton (died 1704), possibly the vicar here.

The font probably dates from the early 1500's....indeed the initials carved on its sides may refer to the rector of the church in the 1530's, Robert Brown.

The beautiful gold roof in the chancel.

This brass commemorates Sir Hugh Askew, who was knighted at the battle of Musselburgh in 1547.

A view towards the tower, with its huge arch.

The church is a beautiful landmark as you pass out of Bootle on your way to Muncaster, and, apart from when services are taking place, seems to be open.

Bolton, All Saints

All Saints
Bolton
Cumbria

The church of All Saints can be found in the small Eden village of Bolton, about two and a half miles North West of Appleby, and sandwiched between the villages of Long Marton and King's Meaburn. The church dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, with some later alterations. A period of refurbishment was undertaken in 1848.

One of the most interesting features of this narrow but long church, is the carved sandstone panel, set above a reset 13th century door, showing two knights jousting. There is a second panel, this time bearing a carved inscription...but this is now very badly weathered.

The photo below shows the 13th century door, now blocked, with the two panels above.

The 12th century Western end of the church (shown below) was once a large rectangular tower, of which only the base now remains. The small bell tower was built onto it at a later date. The internal wall was removed, enabling a longer nave to be incorporated into the building. It's thought that this work was probably carried out in the 17th century.

The photo below, shows a view looking towards the West end of the nave, where a small gallery can still be seen.

The photo below shows a view looking into the Eastern chancel with its huge window.

The parish chest is still here, and compares favourably with many others that can be seen in churches throughout the region.

As with most older parish church, the Royal coats of arms can still be seen.

The finely carved screen, separating the nave from the chancel is still in place and in excellent condition, and is thought to date from the latter part of the 19th century.

On the South wall of the nave, to the left of the porch, an effigy showing a woman with her head resting on a pillow has been rescued and mounted into the wall. It is thought to date from the 14th century.

For more photos, check the link.