A Sense Of Mells

New Street.

I just thought that I would tell you about our trip to Mells last week because I took a few photos, and it would be a shame to waste them. My friends wanted to see the surrounding area, so as it was a nice sunny day, I suggested we visit Mells as I had heard that there was a nice riverside walk there, and it is only a few miles from Westbury. We parked near the War Memorial which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens the world-famous architect and then walked up the historic and picturesque 15^th century New Street to St Andrews Church. I told Jacky that I would show her the grave of the war poet Siegfried Sassoon because she studied him at school. While we were wandering around the churchyard looking at the headstones, we met two middle-aged ladies.

Edward Horner.

“If you are looking for famous graves, here is one of the Bonham-Carter family. He was the grandfather of the actress Helena Bonham-Carter.”

“I know”, I replied, “He was also private secretary to Herbert Asquith who was Prime Minister when the First World War broke out, and just here is the grave of Ronald Knox the theologian who inspired Siegfried Sassoon to convert to Catholicism, and that is the reason Sassoon wished to be buried here”.

Cross From WW1

The ladies looked quite surprised at my knowledge. I only knew all this stuff because I had been here last year and had read about it. I hadn’t been inside the church on my previous visit because it was closed during lockdown. It is quite fascinating when you see the interior. There is a large statue of a soldier on horseback by Alfred Munnings. It is a memorial to Edward Horner who was slain during the Battle Of Cambrai in 1917. There is a big connection between the Horner family and Mells. It is said that the nursery rhyme Little Jack Horner was inspired by one of the Horners. Incorporated into the plinth of the statue is the original wooden cross which marked Edward Horner’s grave in France. It is quite moving, and a timely reminder of the horrors of war which seems to be repeating itself today. On a cheerier note, on a wall I noticed a framed tapestry in the pre-Raphaelite style by Lady Horner which was inspired by her friendship with Edward Burne-Jones the artist and designer who worked with William Morris.

We found a Walled Garden nearby which had a café and had lots of plants for sale, but we didn’t buy any. There was a picnic area with some tables, so we had some food and then set off to find the riverside walk. A short distance outside the village on the road towards Great Elm we saw a sign saying Public Bridleway, so we walked up there along the riverbank. It was quite beautiful in the spring sunshine. Lots of wildflowers were in bloom such as bluebells, red campion, wild garlic, and others that I wish I knew the names of. 

We reached a nice waterfall and passed amazing rock outcrops. Eventually we reached these old abandoned and ruined ironworks which date back to the middle-ages. I love how they are being reclaimed by nature and covered in lichen and moss. Apparently, these buildings are of special scientific interest and are home to horseshoe bats. Eventually we turned back and retraced our steps.

I was tired by now so suggested that we repair to the Talbot Inn for a drink and a sit down. I asked the barman why the Inn sign has a dog on it, and he told me that a talbot was an ancient species of hunting dog similar to a beagle which is now extinct. We sat out the back in the courtyard and enjoyed a glass of cider. This place is well worth a visit. The Talbot was voted Sunday Times Hotel of the Year in 2013. Then we wended our way home after a most enjoyable few hours in Mells. So, if you are out and about this summer and you want somewhere nice to visit, I think you would enjoy Mells which was rated as among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" in 2020.