St Nicholas' Church — Attraction in Milborne St. Andrew

The first thing that strikes you as you enter this church is how bright it seems in contrast to so many C of E churches. The second thing that you notice is the absence of stained glass, which tends to account for the brightness. The history of the windows is fascinating, and there is a booklet available for purchase which details the same, and contains many good illustrations. The glass is difficult to photograph, though almost everybody tries. A dull day is better than bright sunshine, and a viewpoint that has a dark exterior background (like trees) can improve the contrast.

There are lots of other good details, like the painted font, the carved and painted coats-of-arms adorning the vaults in the apse and the nave, and the lovely tiled floor. The cemetery, only a couple of hundred metres away, is the resting place of T. E. Lawrence, and Clouds Hill, Lawrence's home, is only a few kilometres to the north. They are both...

This is an interesting church well worth visiting. Very limited parking right by the church or the lanes nearby but there is a car park just by the cemetery. The shape is most unusual, almost square with a large semi-circular apse, most surprising on entry. The church is known for its etched windows. These were created and installed over almost 30 years by Laurence Whistler. Not my cup of tea, much prefer a light stained glass, but they do make for a light filled church. There is a thirteenth window installed on an...

In a quiet village in Dorset is the church of St Nicholas. A pretty church which no longer has stained glass, but modern etched glass. Inside is beautiful with its coloured tiled flooring and majestic font. Just a stroll down the lane near the walled garden is TE Lawrence aka Lawrence of Arabia's grave. It's gleaming white stone stands out amongst the older headstones. Even though his grave has no mention of his war achievements, he is remembered with small tokens of badges and crosses left. A place to visit...