Dorchester Abbey

 

I thought it was high time to revisit Dorchester Abbey and write a more detail blog that the one I published back  2015 where I only showed a small part of what you could see there. The history goes back from when it was a Roman town but you can read more of about Dorchester Abbey by following the link. As there is some much to see both inside and out I will do the blog in two parts with the inside next week.

 A view of the Abbey Church from over the road with the old toll house in the foreground

This is the path I went along after going through the gate by the toll house

Not sure of the reason for the flowers around the porch but it added a very nice touch

This is the south entrance which has some superb ironwork hinges on the door

Near the south entrance is this preaching cross which lacks the cross on top and is capped off

Walk further over in the churchyard and you get a wonderful view of the whole church

This is the south aisle with the west  entrance and the way you go in

Standing beside the tower it looks huge

You have to walk right over to the north side of the lawn area on the north side to see most of the church

This is over on the east side of the lawn

 Standing near the east end looking along the north side of the church

Over in one corner you find a quite are to sit and ponder

The centre piece is this beautiful sundial

When you walk around the east end you get to appreciate how big the building is

Walking around past the east end of the south aisle

 Eventually you will come back out on the south side

Looking back towards the church and the Museum

Here we look down towards towards the lichgate which is the main entrance

This is what it looks like form the outside of the lichgate

The churchyard is over on the south side of the church and where you will find the old headstones 

Over on the south east end of the church you find more old graves

It is worth walking around to find them

The graves are long forgotten about by any surviving relatives

 I spotted someone taking a photo of this one and asked if they had found a relative but they answered they like the contrast between the headstone and kids slide in the background 

Towards the east end you find a couple of chest tombs

A nearby cottage backs onto the churchyard

It's a peaceful churchyard to walk around 

A family tomb

Contrasting a cast iron cross seems t outshine the nearby tombs 

I have been to the abbey before and had noticed the lack of any reference to the WWII American airbase that was a couple of miles away the lack of war graves very evident the lack of any memorial even more so. While walking back near some shrubbery by the north path I noticed something partly hidden. This stone with a plaque to the memory of the en who lost their lives. I feel it is little to show for what the gave. The airbase was called RAF Mount Farm and there is little to show that was once there, the main part of it now the village of Berinsfield but there are bits of the airfield that can be seen.

Next week I will take you inside. Till then have a peaceful weekend 

I'd dedicating this blog to two gentlemen from my village who passed away in December and January I remember them with fond memories  and they will be missed by many people. RIP