Tolland: Historic Buildings in Focus

Building history and architectural details

Tolland lies between the Brendon Hills and the Quantock Hills. This geographical setting is complemented by several historic buildings: Gaulden Manor, the Church of St John the Baptist, the churchyard cross and Doble's Farmhouse. Their features raise different questions about architecture—building phases, decoration, materials, and roof and gable forms. When choosing a place for your trip, you can therefore consider both its location and specific aspects of its building history.

Gaulden Manor dates from the 16th century and was altered in the 17th century. Its elaborate stucco decorations from around 1660 include scenes from the Old Testament. There is therefore more than one point of reference in time: the date of construction, later alterations and decoration should be distinguished. The subject matter adds a specific architectural aspect to the chronology. When assessing the manor, it matters both when the house developed and which scenes the stucco decoration depicts.

The Church of St John the Baptist dates from the 13th century and was remodelled in 1871. The churchyard cross dates from the 15th century and was restored in the late 19th century. Its octagonal shaft and base are made of red sandstone ashlar; a 19th-century cross sits on top. When making a comparison, it is important to distinguish the remodelling of the church from the work carried out on the cross. The late-19th-century restoration and the 19th-century cross at the top should be considered separately: the first refers to work on the churchyard cross, while the second is the component at its top. Octagonal means eight-sided; both the shaft and the base have this shape. The cross’s material and form are therefore additional aspects of its own building history.

Doble's Farmhouse can also be assessed by looking at specific building features: it has rendered gables with copings and a slate roof. These features draw attention to its exterior form, unlike Gaulden Manor, with its building phases and stucco decorations, or the churchyard cross, with its sandstone and octagonal design. For comparison, you can sort the points of observation: the farmhouse’s gables and roof are the focus, the manor’s date and decoration, and the cross’s material and form. This makes it possible to look at historic architecture through different features, not just its age.

Walking routes and practical visit planning

A footpath and a bridleway run between Tolland Road and Gaulden Manor. If you include this connection in your plans, take both types of path into account and check local conditions before using them. In January 2025, the Watersmeet footpath was partially blocked by fallen trees. If you plan to use it today, check its current condition locally beforehand.

No opening hours are listed for the Church of St John the Baptist in Tolland. For further information, you can contact the church directly. Access information can change, so it is advisable to enquire in advance.

Discover more destinations: Kilve, Wellington, Fivehead, Ashwick, Horsington, Chard, Badgworth, Stowell.

For the broader travel overview: Somerset.