Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 1 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1932
Dove Bell ID: 14808 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Cartmel: St Mary & St Michael
Diocese of Carlisle
Major Parish Church, 607243
Overview
Grid reference: SD 379 788
The medieval residents of Cartmel must have wondered at the Priory Church of St Mary & St Michael which today, still dominates the village and the surrounding countryside. You are struck, from a distance, by the diagonally placed top stage of the tower which is set at an angle of 45º to the earlier lower stage and can there be anything else like it in England? As Pevsner has said, it is a structurally dubious but visually entertaining motif and explains why the tower may look a little too small for the building. The building was begun in c.1189 and it was established as a priory although it was stipulated that it should never be elevated to an abbey. Apart from elements of the church the gatehouse is the only building that survives from this time. For 800 years the site has been a centre of worship that has reflected the changing faces of liturgy and architecture. Although obviously altered, some of the oldest parts of the priory are the chancel, transepts and the north wall of the nave. The south doorway is especially significant: it has three orders of detached shafts with capitals moving towards stiff-leaf, and a rounded arch with "V" shaped moulding. The north chancel aisle, known as the Piper Choir, has the only rib vaulting in the Priory and it also has a piscina, indicating its former use as a chapel. The Harrington Tomb, a large monument to John Harrington, who died in 1347 is half its original size, and has been re-sited so that it fills an archway through to the south chapel (the Town Choir). Effigies of Lord John and his wife Joan are surmounted by a canopy with an ogee arch The canopy has a ceiling with important painted boards showing a seated Christ and Signs of the Evangelists that Pevsner said ought to be investigated. The Town Choir was enlarged to its present size in the C14. Its name may derive from its use by local people. The massive east window is a Perpendicular insertion that probably replaced one or two groups of lancets. The north transept contains the sole remaining original lancet, as well as the blocked-up doorway to the monks "night stairs" which connected with the adjoining buildings. The south transept has a similar blocked door that would have allowed access to the dormitory. Cartmel also has an excellent set of 26 choir stalls dating from about 1450. Each has a misericord, and medieval carvers were allowed to exploit their skill with all kinds of carvings (a unicorn, a pelican and other beasts). The Priory has a good collection of mediaeval and Victorian glass. The south porch has the oldest - C14 - depicting angels. The west window has figures in canopies throughout, and is probably by Burlison and Grylls. The best Victorian glass is the extensive collection by the Lancaster firm of Shrigley and Hunt. The significance is enhanced by the many accretions and changes over time and not only with the building fabric. The interior is enlivened by monuments and sculptures of different periods. Four sculptures by Josefina de Vasconcellos, who lived nearby, require special mention.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 1374 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Monastic remains of 1188
Exterior Description
15xII-13 memorials or monuments, cross remains, lampost
Interior
Bells
Weight: 640 lbs Diameter: 30" Bell 2 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1932
Dove Bell ID: 14809 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1030.5 Hz Weight: 699 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 3 of 10
Founded by Eijsbouts 1987
Dove Bell ID: 14810 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 972.5 Hz Weight: 749 lbs Diameter: 33" Bell 4 of 10
Founded by Eijsbouts 1987
Dove Bell ID: 14811 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 867.5 Hz Weight: 956 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 5 of 10
Founded by Eijsbouts 1987
Dove Bell ID: 14812 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 768 Hz Weight: 1284 lbs Diameter: 40" Bell 6 of 10
Founded by Eijsbouts 1987
Dove Bell ID: 14813 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 806 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 7 of 10
Founded by Evan II & William Evans 1726
Dove Bell ID: 14814 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 952 lbs Diameter: 34" Bell 8 of 10
Founded by William Evans 1729
Dove Bell ID: 14815 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 1389 lbs Diameter: 39" Bell 9 of 10
Founded by John Scott 1661
Dove Bell ID: 14816 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 1680 lbs Diameter: 42" Bell 10 of 10
Founded by John Scott 1661
Dove Bell ID: 14817 Tower ID: 13233 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 379 788
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
| Name | Status | Number found in this site |
|---|---|---|
| Common sycamore | Veterantree | 1 |
| Copper or purple beech | Veterantree | 1 |
| Ash | Veterantree | 1 |
| Scots pine | Veterantree | 1 |
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
Showing 7 entries of 7 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.