Jessop Wedding - Out and About
About Charmouth, Wootton Fitzpaine and Surrounds NEW! Here's a fantastic map of a fantastic walk along the cost from Charmouth. If you go or come back along the beach you need to do it near low tide. For max excitement, switch between map and satellite views and zoom in for a view of the VeddingKontrol Volvo at Westhay, now sadly being used as dogfood cans and replaced by a Fiat Uno. The village of Charmouth nestles in a valley at the heart of Lyme Bay, in the far South Western corner of Dorset. With a population of around 1000 the village is a perfect base for walking and fossil hunting along the world famous 'Jurassic Coast'. The coastline is now part of a World Heritage Site, the first such landscape designation in the UK, ranking it alongside such natural wonders as the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. [God knows why.] The status was conferred by UNESCO in recognition of the area's unique natural history.[Ah, that'll be it then.] The Heritage Coast Centre situated by the beach has a comprehensive multi-media exhibition. Today Charmouth is a relatively peaceful place offering seaside facilities "without the razzmatazz of the big resorts". The village has two grocery shops, a newsagent's, gift shops, a chemist's, a camping and leisure store, two fossil shops, two €s, two pubs and a lovely second-hand bookshop half way up the hill on the left. Go and buy something and talk to the owners, who are very jolly. There is also a large playing field with tennis courts, bowls and putting greens. Between Charmouth and Lyme Regis is Lyme Regis Golf Course . The beach has a mix of pebbles and dog shit and at low-tide acres of sand with rock pools. The coastal hills rise steeply on either side of the meandering River Char with Stonebarrow Hill to the east and Black Venn to the west. About a mile to the east beyond Stonebarrow Hill is Golden Cap , rising almost vertically from the beach to 617 feet. The flat topped hill is the highest point on the south coast and is part of the National Trust's Golden Cap Estate, which also includes Stonebarrow Hill. There is vehicular access to the top of Stonebarrow with staggering views of Lyme Bay with Portland in the east and Start Point to the far west. The Nazis, as they are known locally, have recently installed a pay and display parking meter. With luck, it will be out of order. If not, try paying with moistened chewing gum, which usually does the trick. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you may be able to reverse into it and render it inactive. Stonebarrow Hill is also well known as a dogging site. Friday night after about 10pm is probably your best bet. To the west, two miles by beach and three miles by road is the charming and famous town of Lyme Regis. The town's narrow streets are choc-a-bloc with buses and lorries and are lined with many listed buildings and delightful shops with lots of art, crafts, books, antiques and specialist food shops and eateries. The old Town Mill is a restored, working watermill with a café, gallery and pottery and is well worth a visit. At the western end of the town is The Cobb: an ancient harbour wall which became renowned as the place from which 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' (played in the film by Meryl Streep) looked longingly out to sea! If you would like to go mackerel fishing, bird or dolphin watching or just sit back and enjoy the stunning Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon, we recommend a boat trip on the Frances Jane, based at Lyme Regis harbour. Wootton Fitzpaine: sadly, nobody knows an awful lot about Wootton Fitzpaine. It had a population of 347 in 2001 and 16.3% of its dwellings are second homes. There are two theories about the derivation of the name Wootton. Both seem very reasonable and, if you're very, very interested, you may approach the father of the bride for more information. The manor was held by the Maltravers of Litchet, who, one can only assume, were so named because they had a bad crossing when they arrived from Normandy. Serves them right. At the turn of the 20th Century, the manor was bought by Alfred Capper Pass, whose descendants still abound in the locality. One of them taught the bride Italian, which was a godsend. She's called Sophy and you should give her cider if you see her empty at the wedding. There is a very fine leaflet about the church, where the nuptials will occur. From it, we learn that the vestry was added in the 19th Century, when the organ was also 'inserted', which seems a tad ignominious for an organ. The font is of the late 12th Century. Which is very old. The south wall of the chancel was pierced in the 15th Century, which also sounds uncomfortable. The rector in 1326 was called William de Cockere and he seems to have lasted 22 years. The eagle-eyed amonst you will have detected that there are two voices in the above description. That's because the text was lifted almost word for word from the excellent website of Swansmead B&B. By way of apology, please go and stay with them. The serious text was written by Timothy Heap Esq., pig breeder, who did not give his permission for the text to be used. One of the first sites he designed was that of Swansmead. Do have a look, especially at the elegant swan gliding in top left. Once it has glid, do hover your mouse over the swan. You're in for a big surprise. |