The ancient family of Scrope has been seated here for over five
centuries and a half. The "Castle Inn" by the market-cross remains primitive in its arrangements, although the "tripping" season makes great demands upon its supplies. Though ordinarily quiet enough,
occasionally there is a swarm, and a sudden demand of a hundred or
so "teas" is enough to try the resources of any hostess. But it was too much for the poor lady here; her health was bad, and she would have
to flee before another season came round. Strange to say, it is the
slackness of business that usually sends folks away. The graceful
fifteenth-century pinnacled and embattled tower of the church gives
the ancient building a grand appearance. The church is rich in stained
glass, containing the arms of the various lords of the manor.
BULLICH MANOR-HOUSE.
Yatton Keynell, a couple of miles eastwards, possesses a fine
Jacobean manor-house, with a curious porch and very uncommon
mullioned window. The wing to the right was demolished not many
years ago,
[Pg 118]
so that now a front of three gables is all that remains; and though it looks fairly capacious, there are but few rooms, the space being
taken up with staircase (a fine one) and attics. The exterior of the
church is good, but the interior is "as new as ninepence," saving a fine fifteenth-century stone rood-screen. The spiral staircase up to the
summit has been cut through, which is a pity, as otherwise the organ
would have been less conspicuous. The steps of the village cross
now serve as a basement for the village inn.