Before it became a Christian community in the 1950s, Scargill House was a country house owned by the Holdsworth family. It sits in its own, fairly large, estate with gardens and woodland extending up the side of the valley to the moor.
It has, of course, been enlarged, with accommodation for guests and community members. Notably, its rather wonderful chapel was designed by George Pace (one of the leading ecclesiastical architects of his day) and built in 1958-61. It's now a Grade-II* listed building. It's a lovely place in which to worship, with the huge windows giving views over the dale. The octagonal building you see beyond it is the main meeting room, recently reroofed and refurbished - and again offering glorious views across the valley.
Sheep farming is still the mainstay of the dales (and tourism of course). Something (not me!) spooked the sheep and they all went dashing off down the hill, ewes and lambs bleating loudly.
There are a few strategically placed benches, this one having a lovely outlook up towards Kettlewell.
In the woods there is a labyrinth, a sacred space used for walking meditation.
Lovely views, and look really peaceful!
ReplyDeleteThe chapel looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful campus and buildings for meditative experiences. Good to see efforts have been made to keep the labyrinth available while grass tries to take over
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture on the chapel. And views worth framing.
ReplyDelete