Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Sutton Scarsdale Hall is the fourth or fifth structure built on the site and was commenced in 1724 in a Baroque style and incorporated an earlier existing building. It was built in a grand style with lavish interiors. After a few family linked owners the building was purchased by Richard Arkwright junior in 1824, his father being the inventor of the water frame. The property passed through further Arkwright heirs until it was acquired by William Arkwright in 1915. However, the cost of running and maintaining the hall had built up debts and it was put up for sale in 1919. Sadly there were no takers and it was acquired by a groupl of local asset strippers who sold off many of the rooms as salvage including some that went to America and can still be seen in the Museum of Art in Philidelphia. Parts sold also included the roof and without this the hall quickly deteriorated but was saved from demolition in 1946 by a new owner. Subsequently the hall has paased in to the care of English Heritage and we went for a look today and found it to still be pretty impressive.

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

The Railway centre is situated at Quainton, a little outside of Aylesbury with the original line dating back to 1868. The station building, which is still extant, was built in 1899. From the early days carrying agricultural produce and building materials the line started operating passenger services until 1963 when stopping services ceased and the line then closed in 1966. The London Preservation Society arrived in 1969 and the site has developed in to a working musuem with engines, rolling stock, original buildings and various artefacts detailing the history of the line and local area. We visited today, which was a live steam day, and found it an interesting place.

Merry Christmas

Exeter Quay

After visiting the cathedral we grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the quayside. Exeter was first used as a port in prehistoric times but in 1566 a canal was completed to provide access for ships. Over time the number of ships using the quayside increased and the quay was expanded in the late 17th century. Further expansion occurred in 1830 when a new canal basin was added. However, in 1840 the railways reached Exeter and the shipping began to decline and the quayside is now mostly used for leisure. We found it a pleasant area for a stroll. Old warehouses have found new uses including local crafts and historical elements have been highlighted making it all quite interesting.

Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral stands on a site which has been at the centre of the city since Roman times. The Cathedral was effectively founded by King Edward the Confessor in 1050 AD although the current building dates back to 1114 AD. The west front image screen is one of the great architectural features of medieval England. Various building works have taken place over the years and the completion of the rebuilding of the cathedral in the Gothic style dates to around 1340 although additional works continued thereafter. High up on the north side of the nave is a projecting balcony built in the middle of the 14th century. It is decorated with carved angels playing musical instruments and is known as the Minstrels Gallery. The original purpose of this gallery is not known, but it may have been used by musicians or singers. The magnificent Bishops Throne is one of the greatest treasures of medieval woodwork in Europe. It was made in the early 14th century using local Devon oak and is 18m (59ft) tall. Dating from 1484, the large dial of the Exeter Astronomical Clock is a working model of the solar system as it was then understood. The sun and moon circle around the earth at the centre of the dial. The clock is reputed to be the source of the nursery rhyme 'Hickory Dickory Dock'. There is a lot to admire within the cathedral, especially the roof, as we found a couple of months ago.