Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Friday 12 August 2022

Trip to Herefordshire - Part 2: St Leonard's Church, Hatfield

 

On Thursday we had booked an afternoon visit for the boiler service and gas safety check perhaps not the best of ideas as we couldn't go out although B is always happy to stay put and garden and relax.  It was 3.15 pm by the time the engineers had been and left so too late to go far so I just popped up the lane to Hatfield for a meander.

I've fallen in love with this cottage in the village. It is just gorgeous.










There are other lovely houses in the village but to be honest as it isn't what you would call a "tourist" village I felt conspicuous taking pictures of more cottages.  


Then a wander round St Leonard's churchyard




St Leonard's has a 11th century nave which may even have been built pre-Conquest.  It was extended west in the 14th century and the chancel may have been rebuilt then.

I didn't go inside on this visit but I did earlier this year so if you would like to see the interior please see Interior St Leonard's Church

I hope the link works ok as last time the link took you first to the current post I think!




The open timber west porch is partly 14th century.




Quoins! I've missed these I think on previous visits!!!







Early Norman doorway with a lintel of 3 large joggled stones. The tympanum shows Opus reticulatum  (square stones set diagonally).





Herringbone masonry






The front of the church is neat and tidy but south of the church the churchyard has longer grass and wild flowers although a bit past its best now.




I've missed this yew before - there was a sign saying it was planted for the Millennium.














The bell turret may be medieval and it was weather boarded in 1903.




Blocked south door




















Fox and Cubs - I love this flower and have collected seeds in the past to sow at home but without success.



The final two posts on this trip will be about Berrington Hall.


I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate most of my photos but if anyone wishes to use any I would appreciate an email first. Thank you).

Reference: Pevsner Buildings of England Herefordshire. Yale University 2017 by Nikolaus Pevsner and Alan Brookes.




10 comments:

Rustic Pumpkin said...

oh, that is the most charming of cottages indeed. The church and churchyard seem to be full of interesting features. Is it me, or does that yew tree look rather poorly? I have one of similar age and it's massive and filled out beautifully.

Bovey Belle said...

What a lovely church. I was thinking of going to Berrington Hall with Keith soon - but then I checked out the degree of disabled access and it pretty well amounts to a disabled parking bay-or a lift down to the tearooms, although they offer two wheelchairs. I'd be interested on your take.

Having gone to Croft Castle, I know we can manage that.

Ragged Robin said...

Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much - yes the cottage is really gorgeous - I just love it. I agree about the yew tree - it does look very weedy!

Bovey Belle - Thanks so much. It is indeed a lovely church - walkable but a steep hill to climb! Berrington Hall is lovely but I am sorry to hear about the disabled access not being good.

Ragged Robin said...

Bovey Belle - Just had another thought. You probably already know this but NT website should have details of disabled access at Berrington Hall. I know English Heritage give a lot of detail.

CherryPie said...

It is always lovely to go back to interesting places. We almost always find things we missed on our previous visits :-)

Ragged Robin said...

CherryPie - Thanks so much. Repeat visits often necessary and I particularly like that church :)

Billy Blue Eyes said...

That is a lovely old church what is it like inside, interesting like out

Ragged Robin said...

Billy Blue Eyes - Thank you. There should be a link in the post that will take you to the post on the interior. Quite simple but that makes it lovely although a horrid new font!!!!

Millymollymandy said...

Quoins! I've never heard that word before! We had them on our stone house in Brittany. Thanks for teaching me more masonry terms. :-)

Interesting all the blocked up old doors - the Norman one in particular is amazing!

Ragged Robin said...

Millymollymandy - Thanks so much - glad you are learning some architectural terms from me although I ido have to keep reminding myself - lol! :)
Yes I like that church - quaint and we drive past it all the time. Only half a mile from the site.