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Bell Tower ~ Pembridge



St Mary's Church, Pembridge in Herefordshire is home to one of the earliest surviving free standing timber bell towers in the country. Survey work was undertaken on the structure in 1997, funded by a grant from English Heritage, and the detailed measured survey, combined with the dendrochronology undertaken on the timbers, has established that the original tower dates from between 1207 and 1223 and that part of a contemporary roof may survive. The work also showed that the ambulatory surrounding the lower part of the structure was constructed in 1471 or shortly after, and that a major reframing of the tower and bell frame was undertaken in 1668/9.
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37 comments

Jaap van 't Veen said:

What an amazing and reamrkable building; very well captured Rosa (like your swecon shot also).
6 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Jaap van 't Veen:

Thank you Jaap. I don't understand swecon? Being very dark inside the tower we needed to put 20p in the meter for light, but had just spent all our change in the cafe, so just had to use the flash and check the pictures out later!
6 years ago

Amelia said:

At first I thought the grass was covered in snowdrops. Now I realise that it's covered in drops of snow.
This bell tower has a very inter sting architectural structure, and reminds me of some that I've seen in Norway
6 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Amelia:

Yes, drops of snow Amelia ;-)) The day before the big whiteout! I know what you mean about being similar to some in Norway. I have also seem similar in Leif's pictures from Sweden.
6 years ago

Ulrich John said:

A beautiful view and a very interesting text !
6 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Ulrich John:

Thank you Ulrich. We found it very unusual and interesting to look around.
6 years ago

Frans Schols said:

Schitterende opname,Rosa! Leuke doorkijk in de PIP. Groeten Frans........:-))
6 years ago ( translate )

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Frans Schols:

Thank you Frans. I took many inside pictures but with no light it was difficult...we did not have 20p for the meter. LOL! Greetings, Rosa.
6 years ago

John Goodwin said:

Lovely photo, Rosa, a testament to the original builders. Interesting PiP, and History... John.
6 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to John Goodwin:

Yes it is John. The view across the Hereford countryside from the tower was pretty amazing too. Thanks for your kind comments....Rosa.
6 years ago

Rainer Blankermann said:

Beautiful shots of this remarkable building. Interesting architecture!
Thanks also for the text.
Thank you for your visit!
6 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Rainer Blankermann:

Thank you Rainer for your interest and kind comments.
6 years ago

Pat Del said:

Very particular this 'bell tower' standing separate from the church ! In french Flanders, I only know two examples of 'Klockhuis' ...
6 years ago

Roger Dodger said:

That's a nice and interesting structure Rosa, a good history too. Near us, in Tongham village is, reportedly, the only freestanding bell tower in Surrey, don't think it has the age of this example though.
6 years ago

Gudrun said:

A well chosen PoV! What an amazing building this is, you can see it's very old. Such wooden bell towers can be found not only in Scandinavia but also in north eastern Germany.
6 years ago