Lower Bradley House. The property of the Revd.F.S.Wall ([1855?])

Stirling, The Rev. D. M. A history of Newton-Abbot and Newton-Bushel. Newton-Abbot: W. F. Forord, 1830. pp. 162 - 165.A WALK THROUGHBradley Vale to Churcombe Bridge.Distance, about one mile and a half.In summer, an excursion from Newton to Churcombe-bridge, returning by way of the white rock, and along the high ridge formed by the lime rocks of Ogwell; constitutes a morning walk of incomparable interest and variety. The route is by a clean foot-path which winds along the romantic banks of the Lemmon. […]. At the western extremity of the meadows, in a sequestered nook, is lower Bradley, consisting of two dwellings with gardens in front, and watered by the mill leat, which at this point has a singularly, clear and placid aspect. A few yards further on, the eastern side of Bradley wood is entered; here the ear is saluted by 'music from a thousand throats'; some of the notes and intonations are, indeed, harsh, but these tend only to heighten and vary the delightful modulations and exquisite harmony, which other minstrels of the wood are pouring forth to the great and glorious author of nature. The embattled walls of ancient Bradley now gleam through the leafy verdure of the pendulous branches; and as this gothic mansion is approached, the meadows, which are separated by the mill leat, widen on each side by a pleasing curvature, and the flanking woods rise in stately grandeur from the steep sides of the bounding heights. The man of antiquarian taste will linger about Bradley-house, and gaze with peculiarly excited fondness, on the proportions and elaborate workmanship of the windows, the sculptured figures which decorate the eastern front, and the saxon door ways; which, after the lapse of several centuries are now as firm and beautiful as ever. A little west of the ivyed walls of the court and garden, the walk runs along the flowery margin of the mill stream, through a delicious semi-circular meadow, which commands a fine view of the western elevation of the manor-house, and the adjoining wood on one side, and on the other, the bold frontier rocks of Ogwell rise to a great height. At the north-west termination of this meadow, the dark wood is entered, and after crossing the leat by a stone bridge, the feathered songsters are again heard in full choir, cheerfully hymning their songs to freedom and the rising morn.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Lithograph

143x237mm