Royal Tunbridge Wells and Penshurst Place
Following
a stop over for morning coffee at Lakeside Service station before crossing
the Thames estuary via the QEII bridge, we arrived at Tunbridge Wells
in time for lunch. Tunbridge Wells has been attracting visitors for
over 400 years, and upon arrival & walking the Colonnade it is easy
see why it is still so popular. With the discovery in 1606 of the Chalybeate
Spring by a young nobleman Dudley, the town grew to be a fashionable
spa resort. By the 17th century the Upper & Lower walks had been
laid out adjoining the spring. In 1698 Princess (later Queen) Anne,
whose son the Duke of Gloucester had fallen on the slippery ground,
gave £100 for the paving of the walks with small clay tiles known
as pantiles. Which is how the walks became known as the Pantiles. The
strolling gentry would be serenaded by musicians playing above from
the Musick Gallery, or visit the natural spring, still rising today.
Now was the time for us to take a leisurely lunch, or to browse the
interesting shops without any noise from traffic going by.
After
lunch we joined our coach for the short journey to Penshurst Place &
Gardens. The house which has been in the Sidney family since 1552. From
sturdy medieval gothic sandstone, through to handsome Tudor brick, genteel
poverty has preserved this house from much rebuilding to leave it as
one of the best preserved examples of a defended manor house. The magnificent
Baron's Hall, completed in 1341, has a 60 foot high chestnut roof.
Outside the historic formal gardens are a rare surviving example of
Elizabethan design. One of the oldest in private ownership, with records
dating back to 1346. Unfortunately during our visit, it was after a
poor spring with little sunshine and most the blooms were still struggling
to appear, and the rain dampened the afternoon as well as no tea and
cake being available to us to brighten us up, before the journey home.
However, a very enjoyable and interesting day, both places extremely
well worth another visit to learn more & explore.
Barsham Church and Southwold (Annual visit to the seaside)
Our
first stop was Scole for morning coffee and biscuits, a delightful Inn.
Then on to the village of barsham just outside Beecles. The church is
quite unique in having one of the few round towers, thatch roof and
an exremely impressive lattice window including the surrounding wall.
Inside is also a magnificant rood screen. After some guidance on the
history of the church from our chairman (Barry Wall), we were able to
wander and admire the interior of this remote church standing almost
on its own in the countryside.
Afterwards
we then made the short journey across to thecoast and the delightful
coastal resort of Southwold, with its inland lighthouse and a chance
to taste the local brew with some good old fish 'n' chips. A chance
to visit the pier, which is still 
'free'
to all those who wish to walk to the end and admire the unique water
clock on the way, or just sit and watch the world go by with an ice
cream before stepping aboard our coach for Sudbury and home.
Bottisham
Church (Nr Cambridge)
There is evidence that there was a wooden structure on this site before
the present tower was erected in thethirteenth century, and many early
nomans stones were used in the stower and the old wall surrounding the
churchyard.
Later rich benefactors ensured that first rate stone masons were employed.
The Galilee porch is an unusual feature, the names corrupted from the
latin galeriav meaning long portico. It is believed it was influenced
by the one at Ely cathedral, which also has a first floor room and boasts
very finely crafted wooden and stonework. this room could have been occupied
by a priest or benefactor.
Another point of interest are the external tomb arches built into the walls,a theory being that when the nave was enlarged, all the remains of the important dignitariesneeded to be moved outward and incorporated in the new walls. The buttressed have an unusual trefoil moulding at the top, echoed in the arches and piers inside the church.
The organ is erected in the western gallery and dominates the nave. The
two side chapels include fine tombs and inscriptions of prominent families
and are enclosed by intricate wooden tracery, thought by many to be the
remnants of the rood screen often destroyed in the reformation.
There is a double piscina, and sedilia, all little extra luxuries installed
in the 1200's, all showing the quality and expense lavished on this fine
church.
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01787 227029 or email info@sudburyhistorysociety.co.uk