Canterbury, Folkestone, Barfrestone

[poliphilo]

i was expecting to have to pay to go into Canterbury Cathedral but the ticket office is on the gate to the precinct and you can't even walk round the outside of the building without first handing over £9.50. This made me cross. But then I reflected that the Cathedral was always a money-making machine- it's one of the primary functions of any temple- and Chaucer's pilgrims also had to pay through the nose.

I'd been planning to have a cup of tea in the tea shop (now a Starbucks) where Sergeant Bob Johnson receives his "blessing" in A Canterbury Tale but the crush around the Buttermarket put me off and we got in the car and drove to Folkestone and I finally bought my tea- an hour or two later- from an booth down by the harbour.

Ailz had a bacon buttie and strawberries and ice cream.

We went to Folkestone because we had a money-off voucher for petrol at Tesco's and this was the nearest outlet. It was thrilling in a not altogether pleasant way- to be driving round narrow country roads (being led a dance by the SatNav) on an empty tank. The reason we got sort of lost was because I wanted to take a detour to see this- the romanesque church at Barfrestone (pronounced Barson)

Comments

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

WOW! Definitely worth a detour (but better when you have more petrol).

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed. There aren't many Romanesque churches in such a good state of preservation. This- I rather think- is the finest in the South East.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Barfrestone is such a stunning church, but as a Romanesque freak, I would say that! :o)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I go round the country truffling for Romanesque bits and pieces. Barfrestone has to be one of the finest ensembles to have survived- right up there with Kilpeck in Herefordshire

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

bacon buttie?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Buttie or butty is a North of England word for sandwich.

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

ahh. No bowing down to the Earl?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's right. :)

[aellia.livejournal.com]

You were just five minutes away from us at Barfrestone! Did you go in the church?
We were in Folkestone on Monday and when we were in Canterbury the snday before last the ticket booth was closed so we walked through the grounds but didn't go in.
Hope Ailz had a good birthday!
x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You live in that area? I thought you were closer to Dover.

The church was locked. Dang and blast it!

Ailz says, "Thank you" :)

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Yes, Canterbury is pricey but worth it.
However, the church at Barfrestone is a marvel! The portico arch is spectacular.Do you have a close-up of the smaller door arch to the right of the main door?

I didn't realize such a fine example of the Romanesque existed in the South East.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I don't have a picture of that small door, but I do have one of the doorway on the North side. I'll post it shortly- when I've had my tea.:)

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

What a fantastic church! Glorious arches...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

One of the finest in the country, I think.

[athenais.livejournal.com]

That is such a beautiful church. That arch!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Isn't it glorious!

[sovay]

in the tea shop (now a Starbucks)

That was probably inevitable.

Nice church, though.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The tea shop looks much the same from the outside.