Here are a few photos from the delightful church of St Andrews,
in Dacre, Cumbria.
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The gate and path leading to the church
The bear statues for which Dacre is famous
The carved figures are usually called 'bears', but may represent a lion or some other beast.
In each case, the carved bear is grasping a sort of shaft, or pillar. The figures may have a religious theme, but what that theme is, no one can say for certain.
The ceiling of St Andrews - lovely old timber work but definitely showing the passage of time
Carvings on a 9th century cross found near the church. The main figure is a sort of winged lion.
This is the larger of the two Viking era crosses at Dacre. This scene may represent the Biblical story of Abraham and Isaac.
The base of the largest cross shaft at Dacre. This scene may represent Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Immediately below the figures which may be Abraham and Isaac is a carving of a stag with a dog on its back. This hunting theme was a common one in Viking Britain.
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Situated just a short distance from the Lake District, the North Pennines and the North Yorkshire Dales, this charming country house hotel is set in its own grounds overlooking Appleby Castle. It has an AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, with a fine selection of wines and malt whiskey. There is also … more >>
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