The Tarrants: Pt5

As well as being a type of knot, and a moth(!) (Lycophotia Porphyrea), the Lovers True Knot is the pub that sits on the main road at Tarrant Keyneston. The B3082 is the main road from Wimborne to Blandford, two of the bigger towns in these parts. The road runs right in front of the pub. At right angles the much smaller road that I’ve been following, that follows the course of the River Tarrant runs. Just off the right of the image above. Once crossed there are a small collection of picturesque cottages, the one below was the village post office once.

Further along the street is All Saints Church. The earliest records show a church here from 1317, but there is little to no evidence of that. It was mostly rebuilt between 1852-1853 with only the tower dating from around the 15th century. Amazing to think that in those days, apart from the tower, this was built for £1,500.

A short walk from here would have once stood a large abbey, founded in the 12th century by Ralph de Kahaines, said to have once been the richest in England. All that now remains is the small church of St Mary. As far as I can see it has to be walked too, so it was by-passed on this trip. I think it will warrant it’s own post, so I’m saving that for a separate visit! A short distance further downstream is Keyneston Mill. Once open to visitors it is now closed an up for sale, should you have a spare 3.75 million pounds. For that you would get an old mill now converted into a private home. A working estate of 46 acres, a range of outbuildings, a bistro and a private island. If sold, I assume it will become a private estate, with no public admittance. I turned up knowing nothing of this, the gate was open, I drove in, parked in the car park, had a little wander around and made a couple of images. I thought it was oddly quiet and something weird about the atmosphere, only to be met by a lady as I walked back to the car to be told the story, and that it was now closed, and the gate should have been closed! Perhaps this will be the last photo ever taken by a visiting member of the public!! Pity really as I was hoping to visit the tea room at the end of the trip!

Under the ample plant life is the old mill, from the adjacent bridge, a photo of the River Stour, one of Dorset’s main rivers, and into which the little Tarrant flows, just a few yards downstream, well 277 meters further downstream to be precise!

Nothing much of Tarrant Crawford, the final “Tarrant” remains apart from “Crawford Cross” standing at a cross roads. The plinth and about the first couple of feet are thought to be from the 15th century, although perhaps from a much earlier “ancient” source, and “Christianised” then. The top part is modern, a photo dated from 1906 shows only the stump, so must be more recent than that!

Finally Crawford Bridge crosses the River Stour. It’s uncommonly large for it’s age and location, and this is thought to be so, as it would have been the main access to the once large abbey.

Another very enjoyable day out, I’m going to have to find another little river to follow next year! The combination of the Canon EOS 30, it’s large bright, and critically for me, focusable viewfinder, combined with the 40mm STM lens make it a nice light, travelling companion. Loaded with a roll of Kodak Ektar, seems to fit the bill for this sort of day out perfectly – maybe another next year!