which overlooked the ravine. On its accessible
side the castle was protected by a moat. Nothing
now remains but the gatehouse, a few fragments of
the enclosing walls, the remains of two towers, and
the chapel. Passing under the gatehouse, the visitor
will see the chapel and inner court on the R. The
Chapel of St Leonard (keys to be obtained at inn above,
fee 3d.) is now a museum, and contains a good collection
of armour. Amongst other curiosities on show are
a “He” Bible, a pair of Cromwell’s
boots, and one of his letters. A gigantic fresco
of St George adorns the E. wall, and beneath the E.
window is the original stone altar. The Chapel
of St Anne, on the N., is shut off by an iron grille,
and contains some fine monuments: (1) in centre,
a costly marble cenotaph with effigies of Sir E. Hungerford,
the Parliamentarian, and his wife Margaret (1648),
(2) within the grille, Sir T. Hungerford and his wife
Joan (1398-1412), (3) on N., Sir E. Hungerford and
wife (1607), (4) against W. wall, tomb of Mrs Shaa
(1613), with panel of kneeling figures. In the
S.E. corner of main building is a plain altar-tomb
of Sir W. Hungerford and son (1596). The font
is said to have been brought from the church.
At its foot is a slab with incised figure of a chantry
priest of unknown identity. Beneath the side
chapel is a vault (to which access can be obtained
outside) containing the leaded corpses of several members
of the family. The parish church of St Leonard
stands on the other side of the road on rising ground
overlooking the ruins. It is a small plain Perp.
building with square W. tower surmounted by a short
pyramidal spire. It is somewhat quaint, but contains
nothing of interest except an altar made out of an
ancient settle. Over the doorway is a semicircular
stone bearing a curious Latin inscription, said to
be not later than 1200 A.D. It is supposed to
have belonged either to an earlier building or to
some dismantled church in the neighbourhood. Below
the church is
Farleigh House, a picturesque
modern mansion.
Farmborough, a biggish village 8 m. S.W.
from Bath (nearest stat. Clutton, 2-1/2 miles).
The church is modern, but has a Perp. W. tower.
The chancel contains a piscina, and there is a ribbed
stone squint. Near the village is Barrow Hill,
a conical-shaped eminence.
Farrington Gurney, a pleasant village on the
Bristol and Wells road, 8 m. N.E. from Wells
(nearest stat. Hallatrow, 1 m.). On the Midsomer
Norton road is an old manor house. The church,
which lies beyond the house in a field, is modern
(1843), but occupies an ancient ecclesiastical site.
Over the W. doorway is a small Norm. effigy, called
by the natives “Old Farrington.” The
churchyard contains the base of an ancient cross.
Fiddington, a parish 7 m. N.W. of Bridgwater.
Its church retains a few carved seat ends, an oak
pulpit, and a piscina, but presents no other feature
of interest.
Fitzhead, a village 2 m. N. of Milverton.
The church has been rebuilt, with the exception of
the tower. In the churchyard is a good specimen
of an effigied cross (cp. Wiveliscombe).
Hard by is Fitzhead Court, an ancient manor
house said to contain a good plaster ceiling.