Chapter I: Preface

This is a modest, gossipy and allusive sketch of a delightful part of England, designed rather to arouse the interest and the curiosity of those not already acquainted with what I will call the “Middle West” than to fully satisfy it. If in this connection you choose to regard the author of these pages as a commercial traveller in the interest of Wessex, displaying samples of the picturesque wares the West of England can offer the tourist, it will entirely fit the humour in which they were penned. To aid the medium of words is added a feast of colour in the accompanying selected views, which show the lovely golden russet interior of Sherborne Abbey, the misty rich blue haze of Blackmore Vale, the architectural majesty of Wells, and much else that awaits the traveller in Dorset and Somerset.

C. G. H.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. WAREHAM--BERE REGIS--THE HEATHS 5

II. CORFE CASTLE--SWANAGE 12

III. WOOLBRIDGE HOUSE-CULWORTH COVE--OWERMOIGNE--WEYMOUTH 16

IV. “UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE”--DORCHESTER--MAIDEN CASTLE--
BRIDPORT--WEST BAY 24

V. CERNE ABBAS--THE VALE OF BLACKMORE--SHERBORNE--SHAFTESBURY 34

VI. YATTON--CHEDDAR CHEESE AND CHEDDAR CLIFFS--WELLS--
GLASTONBURY--THE ISLE OF ATHELNEY--DUNSTER 43

VII. NORTON ST. PHILIP--BATH--CORSHAM--CASTLE COMBE 54

INDEX 63

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1. SHERBORNE ABBEY CHURCH _Frontispiece_

FACING PAGE
2. CORFE CASTLE 9

3. BERE REGIS 16

4. WAREHAM CHURCH 25

5. NEAR MAIDEN CASTLE, DORCHESTER 27

6. FORDINGTON, DORCHESTER 30

7. BLACKMORE VALE FROM SHAFTESBURY 32

8. THE BRIDPORT ARMS 43

9. THE ALMSHOUSES, CORSHAM, WILTSHIRE 46

10. THE MARKET-PLACE, WELLS 49

11. DUNSTER CASTLE AND YARN MARKET 56

12. CASTLE COMBE, NORTH WILTSHIRE 59

WESSEX