Last Saturday D and I decided to revisit Beaudesert Castle. We last went just over two years ago and had a pub lunch after - that was the last time I was in a pub!
Beaudesert motte and bailey castle is an Ancient Scheduled Monument and was built by the de Montforts just after the Norman Conquest. Beaudesert village developed at the base of the Mount but is now part of Henley in Arden. The two settlements are separated by the River Alne. Excavations in 2001 discovered that the castle may not have had a stone keep but remains were found of a large hall and a solar. The main enclosure would, however, have been surrounded by a stone wall. Today just the earthworks are visible.
There is a very steep part at the start of the walk and then the incline is more gentle and sloping. Thankfully it wasn't muddy unlike our last visit!
Timothy came too - grateful to be finally taken out!
Nearly at the top!
One of the ditches you walk past.
Views from the motte towards Henley and the surrounding Warwickshire countryside.
I then had a walk round the churchyard of St Nicholas while D popped to buy some chocolate bars in Henley.
St Nicholas is Norman built by Thurstan de Montfort around 1170 on the site of an earlier Saxon church. The Tower was added in the 15th century. It was restored in 1864 by Thomas Garner.
East window from the exterior.
Sadly, the church appeared to be locked. It was open on our last visit so if you would like to see the interior please see here. St Nicholas' Church Beaudesert
The lovely open timber framed lych gate dates from 1898.
We then drove on to the small hamlet of Preston Bagot and the hilltop church of All Saints which I haven't visited before.
The nave and chancel are mainly 12th century and the church was restored by J A Chatwin in 1878/9. The timber bell turret dates from the 19th century restoration.
The church was locked but I think it was even before Covid as its location is quite remote.
The views from the churchyard are lovely.
It was a lovely afternoon out and good to visit a new church even if I couldn't see the interior!
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera - D didn't bother taking the Canon.
9 comments:
The church looks amazing. We had fun on our visit to Henley, although we only visited the town area.
Beaudesert sounds such an exotic name. It reminds me of Builth - though the approach to that is more level - not much to see bar the earthworks as every stone was robbed out to rebuild the town after a disastrous fire in the 17th C.
Lovely churches, but a shame they were both locked. I loved the Cornucopia on that gravestone. Never seen that before.
It looks like you had good weather for your afternoon, the views are just lovely!
CherryPie - Thank you. The church has some interesting features :) I like Henley only jsut over half an hour for here so a nice place to visit although it can get busy.
Bovey Belle - Thanks so much. No stones left at Beaudesert either!!! but it is atmospheric and lovely views.
A lot of churches locally are locked sadly unlike Herefordshire where many are open.
Pam - Thanks so much - yes good weather although we had a shower on the way home so we were very lucky.
Glad you got out for a walk. I can't even recall the last time I went out to eat now. Hills are a fact of life here, but thankfully not so many muddy ones! Great photos, especially details. I think a lot of country parish churches are locked other than when in use. Lovely to see Master Timothy getting some fresh air too. I'm sure he was disappointed with no pub visit though.
You had a lovely day out, the weather looks good. The views from the castle motte are wonderful as are those from Preston Bagot churchyard. Both churches look interesting, shame they were locked but it is a sign of the times, I suppose with both Covid and vandalism. Glad to see Timothy out and about again too:)
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. We last ate out at the tearooms Hill Close Gardens at the snowdrop event Feb before 1st lockdown and I was already getting nervous!! Thank you re: photos. Yes Timothy misses pub visits too!!!
Rosie - Thanks so much. I know St Nicholas used to be open pre covid but I think Preston Bagot always locked. St John the Baptist Henley I think was open though. I agree I think some have failed to open again due to covid and many are always closed because of fear of vandalism. Timothy hopefully will be going out more! :)
looks a great walk!
nice to see Timothy out ;)
The Quacks of Life - Thanks Peter - there will be no stopping Timothy now :)
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