Forde Abbey lies in the remote extreme north-west of the County in an incredibly beautiful heavily wooded valley, which it shares with the river Axe. Unquestionably one of the most attractive houses in Dorset, it is surrounded by 30 acres of sumptuous landscaped gardens and ponds, making an assault on the senses that are both a delight and lasting memory.The ChapelThe chapel was formed out of the monk's chapter house, by Edmund Prideaux sometime after he purchased the property in 1649. His architect (see below) carefully preserved the 12c ribbed vaulting and the Perpendicular window above the altar that was originally installed by Abbot Thomas Chard (16c). Otherwise, the furnishings are excellent examples of 17c craftsmanship. An impressive oak chancel screen divides the space. It is embellished with an attractive segmental pediment, gilded foliar decorative carving and superb pierced foliage above the double doorway. On the northern side of the chancel is a small but very pleasing organ, which is said by Pevsner to be late Georgian Gothic. Opposite, there is a truly magnificent pulpit, replete with its own oval window, which must be the tallest in Dorset! Presumably it had to be this high so that the congregation could see the preacher over the top of the screen. It is built into the wall and was commissioned by Sir Francis Gwyn sometime during the 18c. Other items of great interest are the 12c pillar piscina and the impressive paneling and gilding including some rather glum cherubs. High on the north wall of the chancel is a late 16c helmet with a bust above.
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Forde Abbey | Chard | TA20 4LU | 0 | |
St. Mary the Virgin | Thorncombe | TA20 4NF | 2 | |
Holy Trinity | Blackdown | DT8 3LE | 3 | |
St. Mary | Marshwood | DT6 5QA | 4 | |
St. Mary | Drimpton | DT8 3RE | 4 | |
St Stephen | Bettiscombe | DT6 5NT | 4 | |
St. Andrew | Burstock | DT8 3LJ | 4 | |
St. John | Fishpond | DT6 6NN | 4 | |
St. John | Seaborough | DT8 3QY | 5 | |
St Mary | Pilsdon | DT6 5NZ | 5 | |
The Navity of John the Baptist | Broadwindsor | DT8 3QE | 5 | |
St. Andrew | Monkton Wyld | DT6 6DA | 6 | |
St Mary | Mosterton | DT8 3HJ | 6 | |
St Candida and Holy Cross | Whitchurch Canonicorum | DT6 6RQ | 6 | |
St. Mary | Catherston Leweston | DT6 6LZ | 7 | |
St Mary | Stoke Abbott | DT8 3JT | 7 | |
St Mary | South Perrott | DT8 3HZ | 7 | |
St. Andrew | Charmouth | DT6 6LN | 7 | |
St. Paul | Broadoak | DT6 5PY | 7 | |
Holy Trinity | Salway Ash | DT6 5JE | 8 |
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