Stogursey
This unremarkable village lies in an unremarkable position beneath the Quantocks in north Somerset, close to the Severn estuary with views across to Wales on a good day, and from a high point. Although Moonface's grandfather was born within a mile, she had never been there before our visit last week.
The butcher's had closed, but there is still a shop and a pub or two. It has a beautiful church the size of a small cathedral, an ancient spring and the ruins of an amazing moated castle. The last is unusual, as the cottage built into the ruins is available for holiday rental and looks so twee as to be out of a Disney story.
Somehow, Stogursey has the feel of rural France, with empty houses in the sidestreets and buildings in bad repair. Thet's surprising, as it's close to the nuclear power station at Hinkley Point which employs many people. Or perhaps they don't like the idea of living too close to their work.
posted by Moses at
4:23 pm
2 Comments:
The cottage isn't built into the ruins, it's *part* of the gatehouse - far more authentic than any 'twee' plastic Disneyland.
A lot of the empty buildings you've probably seen are currently subject to planning notices for redevolpment, and since they are both listed and in a conservation area then it's a long slow business.
For the record, there are 2 shops, a post office (unusual in villages these days) a pubs, community centre, parish council halls and a healthy community spirit (something that a lot of cities could learn from).
By
Bob Small Photography, at 26/2/07 20:15
So how did you find this post so quickly, as you know Stogursey?
If we're being pedantic, the cottage is a conversion of a farmhouse built on the site of the gatehouse, rather than the gatehouse itself. It's the synthetic yellow colour of the building that makes it look Disney; perhaps "fairytale" would have been a better term.
But I'll accept your other points. It's a shame that the old hotel has shut, and the church is truly wonderful. Is one of the figures on the tombs, fake? It looked like plaster rather than worn stone.
By
Moses, at 27/2/07 08:30
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