A Book of Dovecotes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... HEREFORDSHIRE The reader may quite possibly feel some surprise at finding himself called on to commence a "survey " of our English dovecotes in a county which is both remote and little known. For this the author would perhaps venture to put forward grounds of personal predilection were he not provided with more satisfactory excuse. Herefordshire is not only rich in dovecotes of a great variety of age and form, but claims a further pre-eminence by possessing an example which is one of the oldest and finest in England, and which can point, in proof of its antiquity, not only to its architectural style, but to the quite indisputable date the builder graved upon its stone. It is to this most interesting of Herefordshire dovecotes that we will first turn. More than one route offers by which to reach the secluded and extensive parish of Garway, lying on the south-west border of the county; but most to be recommended to the pedestrian, both for beauty of scenery and interest of association, is that which leads him from Pontrilas station, twelve miles south of Hereford; follows the valley for about two miles to Kentchurch Court, where the adjoining church disputes with Monnington-on-Wye the claim to be the burial-place of Owen Glendower (Glyndwr, Mr. Bradley tells us it should be)--aclaimwhich it is to be feared history can allow to neither place; and climbs the steep slope of Kentchurch deer-park, to emerge upon the breezy height of Garway Hill, an elevation of twelve hundred feet. Here, on clear days, the eye can wander from the Bristol Channel far up into Central Wales. Then, following the hill south, breast-high in bracken, and with soundless steps upon the sheep-cropped turf, we shall come presently to sunny Garway Rocks, and, by a winding...