Stanford Orcas

[smallhobbit]

We've been away for a few days, staying in a small village called Stanford Orcas, which is in north-west Dorset, not far from the Somerset border.

Walking around I really expected to see Miss Marple step out of one of the cottages:

 

And head down the road, past the village school



and through the gateway to the Manor House, in order to visit Dolly Bantry.



Although on Sundays she would instead be going to the church

 

Then perhaps she would continue on past the mill stream



Or alternatively walk the other way to visit a friend, passing the Mitre Inn (where we stayed) en route.


 

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Very nice and Saint Mary Mead-esque. Odd that it's called Orcas and there are no killer whales.

[smallhobbit]

I'm sure Miss Marple would confirm there are some equally deadly creatures around!

From what I can understand Orcas is the best the Saxon inhabitants could make of the name of the Norman lord who came to live there.

[howsmyenglish]

Lovely! I really could see Miss Marple walking there, too!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[kingstoken]

I just saw the word orcas, so when I clicked the read more I expected to pictures of whales 🤣

[smallhobbit]

Welcome to the strangeness of English village names!

[corvidology]

After moving out to the Cotswolds I went to a village school that looked just like a somewhat larger version of that. :D

[smallhobbit]

It's such a typical village school shape.

[scfrankles]

That is so pretty ^___^ I hope you had a lovely time ^___^

[smallhobbit]

It was a very pretty village. And thank you, we did enjoy our break.

[therealsnape]

Totally St Mary Mead. She would be quite interested in the strangers staying at The Mitre Inn, of course. And when a body is found in the Village School, and the annoying Inspector jumps on the first possible suspect, the stranger who took such an interest in said village school, Miss Marple steps once more into the breach.

"Yes, my dear, I find it quite believable that your interest came from reading Miss Read's Fairacre books. I enjoy them myself. Far more pleasant than my nephew Raymond's grim tales - although I would never say that to the dear boy, of course.

"But Inspector Maddock is rather single-minded. Stubborn, even. But that doesn't mean we can't find the truth together. Now, first things first. Inspector Maddock spoke about a 'funny brooch', but I've managed to take a look, and it seems to me the victim was wearing a rather unusual scouting badge. I've managed to take a picture. Now, do you know anything about scouting badges?

[smallhobbit]

That is absolutely brilliant!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Seconding the brilliant and, yes, Someone (whose name rhymes with Hall Smobbit) knows an awful lot about Brownies badges.

[rusty_armour]

Stanford Orcas is such a beautiful, charming village! It could definitely double as St. Mary Mead! Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos with us. You were lucky to be able to spend a few days in this village.

[smallhobbit]

It is lovely. We had no idea what it would be like when we booked the accommodation, so were delighted at what we found.

[margaret_r]

Such a pretty village:) I can just see Miss Marple wandering the streets.

[smallhobbit]

It was! Yes, it would suit her perfectly.

[debriswoman]

Lovely photos:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you :)