2018

SP2864 : Private frontage, Castle Lane, Warwick

taken 5 years ago, near to Warwick, Warwickshire, England

Private frontage, Castle Lane, Warwick
Private frontage, Castle Lane, Warwick
It might seem obvious that the surface treatment of the ground indicates how the space is used or managed: illustrated here. The band of dark grey setts defines a boundary. The yellow-lined tarmac road and the concrete paving slabs in the foreground denote the public highway, the public domain. The rest of the space is private: a handsome path of blue clay pavers reserves and defines the route to residents' front doors. The contrasting material next to it (Bunter pebbles) signals two different functions: parking space for residents, and deterring access by anyone else. The wall in the background denotes the boundary of another private space: Warwick Castle.
The centre of Warwick

Warwick is among the smallest of Britain's county towns. Had it not been for the Great Fire of Warwick in 1694, the centre of the town today might look like Stratford-upon-Avon or Henley-in-Arden with their abundant black-and-white timber-framed buildings. The fire began in a baker's shop (as did the Great Fire of London) and spread rapidly. It caused damage estimated at £90,000 and made 250 families homeless. In the Georgian period the centre of the town was rebuilt in brick and stone; some street lines were altered. Old Square, for example, was laid out to provide a better approach and setting for St Mary's Church. Further changes were brought about by the extension of Warwick Castle gardens.

Much of St Mary's Church had been destroyed in the Great Fire. Completed around 1394 it succeeded a Norman foundation which in all likelihood replaced a Saxon church. After the fire St Mary's was rebuilt in stone quarried from the churchyard although the planned tower, showing early signs of failure, was rebuilt to the west in a harder sandstone from nearby Shrewley. The siting creates a focal point in the views down Northgate Street and up Church Street. The church was completed by 1706, a light and lofty Georgian interpretation of the mediaeval style. The tower at 53 metres high (174 feet) is both a landmark and a fine viewpoint.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Robin Stott and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Lowlands Geological interest Paths Roads, Road transport City, Town centre Place: Warwick Postcode District: CV34 other tags: Mixed Use Paving Hard Landscaping Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Warwick [1170] · Warwick Castle [652] · St Nicholas Park [197] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
SP2864, 1357 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Robin Stott   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 6 November, 2018   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 2 June, 2019
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 2833 6479 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:16.8318N 1:35.1697W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 2831 6480
View Direction
East-southeast (about 112 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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