Close to the village of Abbotsbury a footpath wends its way to the centre of a small wood and a stone arch, all that remains of a medieval chapel.
Unmarked by any signpost it is an evocative spot, standing above a tinkling stream and dappled by the sunlight slanting through the trees. In May bluebells carpet the ground with purple blue.
Within the ruined precincts lichen covered slabs commemorate recent landowners. An altar is crowned by a beautiful wooden crucifix, stained an irredescent green by the damp. Across is surface lie the scattered offerings of coins or flowers left by passers-by.
It a spiritual place, a place for contemplation whatever your faith. A place to listen to the sounds of silence.
Grid ref: SY556 878
It a spiritual place, a place for contemplation whatever your faith. A place to listen to the sounds of silence.Grid ref: SY556 878
Morning Ian, I have cross-posted here: https://plus.google.com/100146646232137568790/posts/UPpYYagj9YT
ReplyDeleteLouise Hodgson describes this magical place in her book Secret Places of West Dorset and it's even on the front cover
ReplyDeleteYes we were moaning about that...soon it' ll become a theme park like the tithe barn....that's why I only gave the guide ref. so that you need a bit more commitment to visit it!
DeleteNo need to worry. The book has been out for over 2 years and I don't think it's become a theme park because it's on the cover; people are intrigued by it, and like other special places in West Dorset, it's good to share them with other like-minded people. Thanks for the blog post. I find all yours interesting.
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