Studley Roger is the very pretty village at the Studley end of the large area that comprises Fountains Abbey, a deer park and Studley Royal (water garden). It is where you arrive when you take the walk from Ripon across the fields.
The gate leading into the deer park. It is open during the day, but there is a grid on the ground so that deer can't walk through. Looking back, Ripon Cathedral can be seen in the distance.
Walking up the road leading through the deer park towards St. Mary's.
The church of St. Mary's. There is a bit of information about the building on this older post of mine.
Although I have been inside this church several times, there are still things I didn't know or detail I had not seen before. One of the welcomers pointed out this little stone mouse to us:
He also showed us the swallow on this pillar, and made sure we'd spot the green parrots in the gilded ornamental border here:
The architect behind all this (and much, much more) was William Burges. You can read about him here on Wikipedia. Apparently, a lot of the dreamier elements of his designs had something to do with him being an opium addict. Whatever the cause, St. Mary's definitely has a LOT to look at, and is always worth a visit.
After leaving the church, we walked on towards Fountains Hall and Fountains Abbey.
That will be my next post.
Really interesting to read about William Burges, and lovely photos. Its nice of you to share. Greetings!
ReplyDeleteThank you! This sharing is, I hope, as much for the benefit of my readers as my own. By sorting through the pictures, doing bits of research and writing up my posts, I relive my holiday, making it last longer.
DeleteI can't recall seeing a stone mouse in a church before but little mice carved on the pews and furniture was a sign of Robert Thomson's work. He was from Yorkshire. Perhaps that's where he got the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get to see some of Thomson's work in one of my next posts, Graham - we were in Kilburn and Coxwold, where he lived and worked.
DeleteThat is very interesting. I like Burges work but for some reason had not clocked this church. His most amazing, eye popping unbelievable work is probably Cardiff Castle. have you ever been there? I think you would have to be a fan, otherwise you would run out screaming, rather than finding it a wonderful experience like I did!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've not been to Cardiff. All my England travelling has been either to London or, since the year 2000, to Yorkshire. I think I'll have to look the castle up and then decide whether I'd be one of those running out screaming, or find it a wonderful experience!
DeleteSometimes a guided tour of a place by someone who knows the details really does enhance the experience.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does. There is usually so much more about a place than what meets the eye without having much background knowledge.
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