Archives » Architecture

St John’s Kirk, Perth

St John’s Kirk, Perth, lies in the centre of the city. It is the site of the city’s War Memorial, which I shall feature later. There is a newer, indeed relatively recent, war memorial to the exterior of the Kirk in St John Street.

St John's Kirk, Perth, External  War Memorial

This is dedicated to all who gave their lives in the service of their country:-

External War Memorial at St John's Kirk, Perth

The Kirk had an open day last September so we took the opportunity for a look around. Model of Kirk:-

Model of St John's Kirk, Perth,

Different angle. Pity about the reflections:-

St John's Kirk, Perth, Model

The font:-

Font, St John's Kirk, Perth

This pew had unusual dog-shaped finials:-

Pew with Finial, St John's Kirk, Perth,

The Hepworth Wakefield

We had an overnight stop at Wakefield on the way back up from Bath so that we could go to The Hepworth Wakefield. It was built in commemoration of artist/sculptor Barbara Hepworth who was born in the town. As well as many of her works it now houses the municipal art collection started in 1923.

The building stands by the River Calder and was designed by British architect David Chipperfield.

The Hepworth Wakefield

From over River Calder:-

The Hepworth Wakefield

From walkway over the river:-

The Hepworth Wakefield

Entrance and rear:-

The Hepworth Wakefield, Entrance

I took a video of the weir from the main road bridge:-

Art Deco in Glastonbury

Only minor deco but a bit surprising to see any at all.

The stand out was Boots. The tiles are classic deco:-

Glastonbury Art Deco

Earthfare has rule of three in upper windows which are possibly Critall. I suspect this is a former Woolworths:-

Art Deco Shop, Glastonbury

Children’s Hospice South West is very minor deco:-

Art Deco Style Glastonbury

 

Glastonbury

Not the music festival, the town.

On leaving Wells we saw a sign that said Glastonbury 8. We thought if we’re so close we might as well have a look.

We pulled up outside a bookshop.  Sadly it was full of Tarot, mysticism, incense and all sorts of woo.

The whole town was a bit like that.

There was some nice old architecture. This is now a pub, though:-

Ornate Architecture, Glastonbury

The sign says Galstonbury Tribunal but this is very old:-

Very Old Architecture, Glastonbury

This is now Nationwide:-

Glastonbury Architecture

More old architecture, unusual style to left, too:-

More Old Architecture, Glastonbury,

Again old, but now the town’s Post Office:-

Old Building, Glastonbury

Minor Art Deco Style in Wells

Where we parked in Wells was near to a junction beyond which this brick building stood. Premises of R Tincknell and Son Limited:-

Art Deco Style Building, Wells, Somerset

 

Bishop’s Palace, Wells

Behind the archway which I pictured in the first of my posts about Wells in Somerset is a grassed area which lies in front of the part-moated Bishop’s Palace:-

Wells, Bishop's Palace

Bishop's Palace, Wells

Environs:-

Bishop's Palace Environs, Wells

There was an interesting carving on this wall of the Palaec:-

Carving and Windows, Bishop's Palace, Wells

 

Features of Wells Cathedral

Cloister:-

Cloister, Wells Cathedral

 

Mosaic floor:-

Mosaic Floor, Wells Cathedral

Transepts:-

A Transept, Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral Transept

Stalls in choir:-

Stalls in Choir of Wells Cathedral

The font, much altered and moved from its original location:-

The Font, Wells Cathedral

The Star. Artwork representing the Star of Bethlehem:-

The Star, Wells Cathedral

 

More of Wells Cathedral

The Lady Chapel. Much of the glass was reconstructed kaleidoscopically after being smashed by Puritan soldiers in the seventeenth century:-

The Lady Chapel, Wells Cathedral

Clock. Thought to be the second oldest working clock in the world:-

Clock, Wells Cathedral

Information about the clock:-

Wells Cathedral Clock Information

Door and stained glass windows:-

Door, Wells Cathedral

Clerestory:-

Clerestory, Wells Cathedral

Clerestory and stained glass:-

Clerestory and Stained Glass, Wells Cathedral

Organ pipes:-

Organ Pipes, Wells Cathedral

 

Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

Stairs up to the Chapter House in Wells Cathedral. Yes the steps are a bit dodgy:-

Stairs to Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

View downwards from Chapter House entrance:-

From Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

There’s a further set of stairs upwards from the Chapter House entrance:-

Stairs up from Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

Chapter House entrance:-

Wells Cathedral Chapter Hous Entrance

Supporting column and ceiling:-

Wells Cathedral, Chapter House Ceiling

Windows and stained glass in Chapter House:-

Stained Glass and Windows in Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral Interior (i)

Normally when there isn’t a charge for churches, museums and the like we will give a suitable amount, as we did at Lichfield Cathedral.

Wells Cathedral doesn’t insist on a charge to enter but the way the approach is constructed makes it difficult or embarrassing to avoid. It leaves a small amount of resentment towards the institution and spoils the experience a bit.

Wells Cathedral is quite impressive inside though.

Ceiling:-

Ceiling, Wells Cathedral

Ceiling and altar:-

Ceiling and Altar, Wells Cathedral

Perhaps the most striking feature is a set of internal buttresses. These were inserted when the addition to the cathedral of a heightened tower and spire meant the walls started to bend, necessitating internal strengthening and bracing. Three are known as St Andrew’s Cross arches. The fourth side is braced by a choir screen:-

Wells Cathedral Internal Buttresses

Internal Buttresses, Wells Cathedral

I must have moved my camera on this shot though:-

Buttresses, Wells Cathedral

The Chantry Chapel:-

Chantry Chapel, Wells Cathedral

Inside the Chantry Chapel:-

Interior, Chantry Chapel, Wells Cathedral

 

Another ceiling, by the Chapter House I think:-

Wells Cathedral Ceiling

Low Altar and St Andrew’s arch:-

Low Altar + Buttresses, Wells Cathedral

 

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