Dunchideock

A beautifully located village, Dunchideock hugs the sides of a deeply-sloping combe. At the northern end, the modest red sandstone church of St Michael has an unusual number of noteworthy internal features. There’s a medieval font, a set of carved pew ends and a richly-carved rood screen, which at one point makes a surprising diversion around three sides of an octagonal roof column. Amongst the monuments is one to Major-General Stringer Lawrence, the Father of the Indian Army, who in 1775 left a legacy of £50,000 to his lifelong friend, Sir Robert Palk. Palk proceeded to build himself a mansion, Haldon House, half a mile to the south, along with a folly in memory of his benefactor. Known locally as Haldon Belvedere, or Lawrence Castle, this tall triangular structure stands on the summit of Haldon Ridge and can be seen for miles around.