Seaborough
St. John
The little church lies at the base of Bubb Down next to a splendid 17c manor house and a scattering of other dwellings in this remote, but very beautiful, part of Dorset.
By far the most important artefact inside is the Saxon font, which suggests that there may well have a very early church on this site. The decoration is an interesting bestiary with four large animals, including a stag biting a serpent, whose coils entwine the feet of other animals and the whole thing is upside-down! It was almost certainly the base of an Anglo-Saxon carved cross and was probably hollowed out by the Normans.
If there was a very early church here, nothing now remains prior to 1474 when it was rebuilt. In 1854, the Victorians completely restored the building, leaving only the tower from the earlier structure and re-using some of the stained glass. At night, it is illuminated with oil lights and the heating is provided by a solid fuel stove. Musical accompaniment is provided by a harmonium.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Grant date | Reason | Amount | Extra amount | Extra reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
01/02/18 12:00 am | £6,000 |
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
St. John | Seaborough | DT8 3QY | 0 | |
St. Mary | Drimpton | DT8 3RE | 1 | |
St Mary | Mosterton | DT8 3HJ | 2 | |
St. Andrew | Burstock | DT8 3LJ | 2 | |
The Navity of John the Baptist | Broadwindsor | DT8 3QE | 2 | |
St Mary | South Perrott | DT8 3HZ | 3 | |
Holy Trinity | Blackdown | DT8 3LE | 3 | |
St. Mary the Virgin | Thorncombe | TA20 4NF | 4 | |
St Mary | Stoke Abbott | DT8 3JT | 4 | |
St. Mary | Beaminster | DT8 3BA | 4 | |
St Mary | Pilsdon | DT6 5NZ | 4 | |
St Stephen | Bettiscombe | DT6 5NT | 4 | |
Forde Abbey | Chard | TA20 4LU | 5 | |
St. Mary | Netherbury | DT6 5LR | 5 | |
St. Mary | Marshwood | DT6 5QA | 5 | |
Holy Trinity | Salway Ash | DT6 5JE | 6 | |
St. Mary | Corscombe | DT2 0NU | 6 | |
All Saints | Mapperton | DT8 3NR | 6 | |
St. Paul | Broadoak | DT6 5PY | 6 | |
Christchurch | Melplash | DT6 3UD | 6 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790