Arcadia in Dorset Part 2
On the south front of Cranborne Manor House is a delightful and compact early 17th C loggia. It is centred as the main entrance (the far west wing being added later) and positioned between the 13th C stair turret and buttress. There are 3 rusticated arches with what...
Joy, Music & Scissor Arches at Wells Cathedral
On the 27th July 2019 I attended a concert of the Somerset Chamber Choir in Wells Cathedral. The picture above is one I took just as the audience were settling and the choir were getting ready to start. The choir is in front of, and framed by, one of the three...
Arcadia In Dorset Part 1
The Northern Loggia at Cranborne Manor House King James I of England had granted the manor of Cranborne to Robert Cecil in recognition of his role in bringing about the peaceful transition from the Tudor dynasty to the Stuart dynasty after James claimed the English...
In Praise of Hands
Figure 1: Hand gestures: The Bayeux Tapestry - the arrival of Halley’s Comet in the sky (Source: Thames & Hudson, The Bayeux Tapestry (London: Thames & Hudson, 1985), p. 32) The other day I was watching my dog scrabbling to get at a treat that had slid under...
ROYAL HUNTING LODGE TO JACOBEAN STATEMENT: Cranborne Manor House
I have long wanted to visit Cranborne Manor House and in July 2019 I did just that. During the summer months Cranborne Manor House opens its gardens ever Wednesday to the public. It is in a stunning setting with fabulous gardens. Whilst the house is closed and...
Imagination in Wrought Iron
The Sign Bracket of the Old Ship Inn, Castle Street, Mere, Wiltshire (circa mid-18th century) Many of us are familiar with the main trunk road that runs from Hampshire to East Devon, namely the A303. This thoroughfare forms part of the road system linking London to...
Exploring Building History
Exploring Building History is a non-commercial site. It is my own personal musings on architectural history. There is wealth of built heritage in England, and as I explore and think about what I see, I post my reflections on this site.