Broadway Folly and the quiet village of Stanton

By Laurence -
The 'Broadway Folly` was the brainchild of Capability Brown and designed by James Wyatt in 1794 in the form of a castle, and built for Barbara, Countess of Coventry in 1798–1799. The tower was built on a beacon hill, where beacons were lit on special occasions. Lady Coventry wondered whether a beacon on this hill could be seen from her house in Worcester — about 22 miles (35 km) away — and sponsored the construction of the folly to find out. Indeed, the beacon could be seen clearly!



Nowadays the tower is a great tourist attraction for the area.


The view from the ground level near the tower. From the top it must be magnificent but having to book, and pay a small fortune, puts us off from going to the top. Mind you, the number of steps might have swayed us as well!
On to the small village of Stanton and a look at its church of course.



A view of the main street in Stanton and an individual house near the edge of the village. I just love these quaint and sleepy villages, this one being no exception.


This is the church of St Michael in Stanton.


Inside - and a startling view as there is a Rood in the position where virtually all churches had them until the Reformation. The religious frenzy that followed destroyed most of them, however, on examination I found out that this one is quite modern, having been erected as a World War memorial to the fallen soldiers. Great idea.

It seems possible that a Saxon church on the present site was served in early times by the monks of Winchcombe Benedictine Abbey, as the Manor, tithes and patronage of Stanton were bestowed on the Abbey by Kenulf, King of Mercia in 811 CE. Unfortunately, most records were destroyed in the disastrous fire at Winchcombe Benedictine Abbey in 1151 CE.


The reredos, by Sir Ninian Comper, also commemorates casualties of the First World War and dates from 1915 CE. The alabaster figures represent the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Michael and St. Barnabas (Patron Saint of Snowshill). 


The Gothic pulpit (c. 1375 CE), now used as a lectern, is interesting, because it was unusual for the clergy to preach from a pulpit in church at that time, the village cross being used for that purpose. 

In the North transept is a passage squint - such passage squints are rare. This a small church tucked away but with a huge history just waiting to be discovered.




Location: Stanton, UK

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