Set in a sandstone crag more than 100m long and 12m in height overlooking Black Pool, are 4 interconnected caves known as Anchor Church, mentioned as long ago as 1648. The outcrop once formed the southern bank of the River Trent and the caves were partly formed by the action of river water on the soft rock, and partly cut out by hand. One legend says St. Hardulph used to live and pray here around the 6-7th Century. It was to isolated places such as these that the early Christians sought refuge to worship God whilst avoiding persecution. Little more is known of him, but the landmark church at nearby Breedon-on-the-Hill shares his name. Another ancient legend tells of Sir Hugo de Burdett returning from the Crusades and being tricked into believing his wife Johanne had been unfaithful, then killing her withoutasking for an explanation and cutting off her left hand which bore his wedding ring. Many years later Sir Hugo was asked to visit the dying hermit at Anchor Church, who confessed he had been bribed by the Baron of Boyville to trick Sir Hugo, so he could marry the dishonoured Johanne. The guilt-stricken hermit had spent the rest of his life at Anchor Church in penance. Children at the Prep School still tell stories of Johanne wandering the woods at Foremark searching for her hand while until recently stone carvings of Johanne, Sir Hugo and the Baron of Boyville rested on the wall of Knowl Hill cottage.The caves were also a favourite haunt of Sir Francis Burdett who enlarged the caves to their present size, fitted a door and used it as a summer dining room for picnic parties from the hall, as the sandstone guaranteed a cooler temperature.
...you guys don't have no snow to talk about!
Quote from: Chako on January 06, 2010, 06:23:39 AM...you guys don't have no snow to talk about! That changed overnight! Plenty of snow out there now, so I'm working from home (in the warm)!
I was going to fasten it to a branch with the UKPK, but it was too quick for me
very nice, love the pheasant on the ice This place is only about half an hour from me might go do the walk myself
I really enjoy reading your threads about your walks Dave And this was a reallygood one Dunc
Quote from: Screwtape on January 06, 2010, 07:09:31 PMvery nice, love the pheasant on the ice This place is only about half an hour from me might go do the walk myself Oh? Whereabouts are you then mate? Let me know if you want the links (assuming you haven't found them already of course).
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