The best cycling routes around Hinton

Interior Details: The interior is known for its high-quality flint work on the tower walls and a range of interesting features: Pulpit: A magnificent 15th-century pulpit is a central feature. Font: A 12th-century font is another medieval survival. Tomb Recess: Against the north wall, there is a canopied tomb recess from the 14th century. For a long time, it was thought to be a rare "Easter Sepulchre," but a skeleton was found inside during the 1860s restoration, suggesting it was a tomb. Organ: The church's organ is a fascinating piece of its history. An 18th-century Walker organ, it was gifted to the church and is said to have been used for choir practice at Westminster Abbey before its installation here. The church, set on a rise at the north-west corner of the village, is part of the "Knowlton Circle Benefice," which also includes nearby parishes like Cranborne and Wimborne St Giles, both of which are included on this cycle route.

All Saints Church is the parish church for the village of Gussage All Saints in Dorset. It's a Grade I listed building with a long and layered architectural history, primarily reflecting the Early English and Decorated Gothic styles. Medieval Origins: The church's main body, including the nave and chancel, dates largely to the early 14th century. The walls are constructed from a mix of local flint, rubble, and various types of stone, including Shaftesbury Sandstone and Heathstone. The Tower: The impressive west tower was built in several stages. Its lower part dates to the 14th century, while the upper stages and embattled parapet were added in the 15th century. The tower is particularly distinctive for its use of alternating bands of flint and ashlar stone. Victorian Restoration: Like many English churches, All Saints underwent a significant Victorian restoration. In 1864, architect Ewan Christian carried out extensive work. A notable change from this period was the moving of the original medieval chancel arch to the north wall, where it now frames the organ. A new chancel arch was then built by the architect John Hicks, who was a mentor to the famous novelist Thomas Hardy.

St. Giles Church is known for its numerous monuments, particularly those dedicated to the Earls of Shaftesbury. Sir Anthony Ashley's Tomb: A historic highlight is the spectacular gilded tomb of Sir Anthony Ashley, dating to 1628. The tomb features intricate classical columns and symbolism. A curious detail is a sphere at his feet, which has been the subject of various theories, including that it represents a globe, a jewel, or even a cabbage. Ashley-Cooper Family Memorials: The church houses several other memorials to the Ashley-Cooper family, including tombs for the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 9th Earls. The 1st Earl's memorial includes a bust by Rysbrack, and the 3rd Earl's is a grand wall monument by Scheemakers. Crusader Effigy: There is a much-restored 14th-century effigy of a crusading knight, believed to be Sir John de Plecy. Comper's Work: The interior is almost entirely a result of Sir Ninian Comper's restoration. This includes the highly decorated screen separating the nave and chancel, new stained glass windows, and the gilded tester over the altar.

19th-Century Gothic Revival: In the 19th century, the church was remodeled twice. The most significant work was in 1887, a Gothic Revival-style memorial to the 8th Earl of Shaftesbury. The 1908 Fire and Comper's Restoration: A catastrophic fire in 1908 destroyed most of the church's interior, leaving only the walls standing. The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury commissioned the renowned Gothic Revival architect Sir Ninian Comper to restore and rebuild the church. Comper's work, completed between 1908 and 1910, is considered one of his masterpieces. He kept the 18th-century external walls but completely redesigned the interior, adding a new north aisle and a lady chapel. His intricate work, including stained glass, a wooden screen, and numerous sculptures, makes the church a "treasure-house of Comper work," as described by Sir John Betjeman.

St. Giles Church is the parish church for the village of Wimborne St Giles in Dorset. It has a rich and complex history, marked by several rebuilds, a major fire, and the patronage of the Ashley-Cooper family, the Earls of Shaftesbury. The church's origins date back to at least the 13th century, with the first recorded rector in 1207. The current building is a fascinating mix of architectural styles due to its turbulent history. 18th-Century Georgian: The church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1732 by the Dorset architects John and William Bastard, who were also responsible for much of the reconstruction of the town of Blandford Forum after a fire. The exterior of the church, with its greensand and flint walls, still largely reflects this Early Georgian design.

nice stopping off point, too the many bridleways and tracks in this area..

This hand operated water pump was "The Gift of W.H.Carter AD 1909". The pump is located on the edge of the village and does not now pump water.

In the year 1401 the Parish Church of Horton was built upon the site of the Priory Church. It appears to have consisted of Chancel, North Transept and Nave. It was dedicated to Saint Wolfrida in honour of Wolfrida, once abbess of Horton Abbey. By 1720 the once fine church had, through misuse and neglect, been reduced to a ruinous state. What part of it remained appeared to be very ancient and a part of the original Priory Church. In 1722 it was almost totally rebuilt. THE TOWER with five bells which stood between the body and the chancel was pulled down, and all but one of the bells, together with other materials of the old building, were disposed of to pay for the restoration, and the present tower was built. The remaining one bell is inscribed; :Love God - 1684”. The architecture of the present tower is interesting. Professor H.V. Colvin has drawn attention to the fact that the general design, and especially the pointed roof and heavy cornice, bear a remarkable resemblance to the plans drawn by the famous 18th century architect Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) for the unfinished Eastbury Manor House at Tarrant Gunville. The resemblance is so striking and so numerous that it leads to the conclusion that the tower of Horton Church was designed by the famous Vanbrugh, or else the tower was built by a master-mason who worked under Vanbrugh and had therefore imbibed much of his master’s style. Memorials which have survived are two grave slabs on the South side “without altar rails”. One, the inscription of which is almost unreadable, has, according to the historian John Hutchins, the words :-“Here liveth the body of Mr Daniel Debreau, minister of this Parish, who departs this life October 15th, aged 84 years, 1719”. The other grave slab is to a young woman aged 23, Ann Hopper; it bears the inscription;- “Here liveth interred the body of Ann Hopper, daughter and cohere of Mr Thomas Hopper, and Ann his wife, of the parish of St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London, who departed this life the 7th of April AD. 1680 acetate 23” THE CLOCK is the work of J Smith & Sons of Derby, it was a gift of Mr W.J Carter (who also gave the Village Pump) and was placed in the tower in 1900.