The best traffic-free bike rides in Martin Down National Nature Reserve

The interior of St Mary and St Bartholomew's is notable for its several historic and artistic features: Wall Paintings: The church has medieval wall paintings dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. These murals, found on the north nave arcade, depict subjects like Christ in Majesty, the Tree of the Seven Deadly Sins, and a large figure of St. Christopher. Pulpit and Font: A beautifully carved pulpit from the 15th century bears the initials "TP," believed to stand for Thomas Parker, an abbot of Tewkesbury Abbey and Cranborne. The church also has a 13th-century font made of Purbeck Marble. Monuments: Inside the church are several notable tombs, including a 17th-century memorial to John Elliot, who died at the age of seven, and a memorial for Edward Stillingfleet, a Bishop of Worcester who was born in Cranborne.

St Mary and St Bartholomew's Church in Cranborne, Dorset, is a Grade I listed parish church with a long and fascinating history. It was originally built on the site of a 10th-century Benedictine monastery, which later became a priory. Early Norman and Gothic: While the site has Saxon origins, the earliest surviving parts of the church are the 12th-century north doorway and fragments of the south aisle wall. The main body of the church, including the nave and aisles, was largely rebuilt in the 13th century in the Early English Gothic style. The impressive west tower was added in the 15th century. Victorian Restoration: The church underwent significant restoration in the 19th century. In the 1870s, the medieval chancel was demolished and rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style by architect David Brandon. Building Materials: The church's exterior walls are constructed from a mix of local materials, including flint and rubble, with dressings of various types of stone like Upper Greensand and Heathstone.

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.

Perfect bike pit stop

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