The best cycling routes around Holton

Stourhead House is an elegant early 18th-century country house in Stourhead. It was built for the Hoare family in the Palladian style. The house impresses with its neoclassical architecture, historic rooms, a library, and art and furniture pieces. After a fire in 1902, it was carefully restored. Since 1946, the estate has belonged to the National Trust and is open to visitors. Today, Stourhead House, along with its famous landscape gardens, is considered one of the most beautiful historic attractions in England.

The gardens of Stourhead are among the most famous 18th-century English landscape gardens and, for me, one of the most beautiful I have seen so far. The centerpiece is a large, artificially created lake, around which winding paths, temples, bridges, grottoes, and rare trees extend. The layout was designed so that new picturesque views open up at every turn of the path.

What a fantastic view and a great decent :-)

Some fantastic views. This route is part of the Stone Circle event at the end of June

Though my bike is in the way, you have to trust me. Exceptional views to be seen from here

Victorian Additions: Major rebuilding occurred in the 19th century. The south wall of the nave was extended to create a new south aisle and porch in 1852, and the chancel was rebuilt in 1881. Wall Paintings: The church features 16th and 18th-century wall paintings, including a mural painting of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer above the chancel arch, dating from Queen Anne's reign (1665-1714). Rood-Loft Stairway: There is a rood-loft stairway on the northern side of the chancel arch, which would have led to a rood loft stretching across the chancel arch, typically holding figures of the Cross, St Mary the Virgin, and St John the Baptist. Consecration Crosses: Traces of Consecration Crosses, traditionally incised into churches during the Middle Ages as visible signs of dedication, can be found on either side of the oak screen below the west gallery (from the Charles I period). Stained Glass: While much of the stained glass is 19th-century, there is one small piece of medieval glass in a north aisle window. The east window of the chancel has a good example of William Morris factory stained glass.

Splendid 15th-Century Tower: A prominent feature of the church is its impressive 15th-century tower, which can be seen for miles around and is considered by some to be the finest example in Dorset. Norman Remnants: While largely 15th-century in its present form, the church retains an intriguing lone Norman pier decorated with scallops and masks in the north arcade, indicating a substantial building on the site from that early period. A 12th-century font bowl also survives. Coffered Nave Roof: The nave boasts a richly coffered roof from about 1520 with carved panels. Hussey Chapel: The north transept was incorporated into a north chapel, now known as the Hussey Chapel, named after one of Marnhull's prominent families. This chapel contains the Carent tomb, an alabaster effigy of a knight with his two wives, dated 1450. The somewhat mutilated state of the effigies is thought to be due to thieves stealing alabaster to make dies for coins.

St Gregory's Church in Marnhull, Dorset, is a truly remarkable and historically significant parish church. It's a Grade I listed building and plays a central role in the life of the large rural village. Here's a detailed look at St Gregory's Church: Ancient Roots: The church's origins are deeply rooted in history, with construction beginning around 1150 AD on the site of a former Saxon church. The first Rector was appointed about 100 years later. Expansion Over Centuries: The church has evolved over many centuries. What is now the Hussey Chapel (housing the Carent tomb) dates back to 1250. A north aisle, bell tower, and in the Victorian era (around 1850), a new south aisle and chancel were added. Thomas Hardy Connection: St Gregory's holds a literary connection, being one of the locations for Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles. The churchyard is where Tess's baby, Sorrow, was buried, and her attendance at a service is described in the book. Continuous Worship: Despite its age, St Gregory's remains an active place of worship with a reasonably sized congregation and is spiritually significant to a wider community who attend major festivals.