Studland, parish church of St Nicholas

Pillars supporting the church tower, with chancel behind.

This is one of Purbeck's most delightful churches.

St Nicholas is essentially an 11th century church, partly built shortly before the conquest (in 1066) on the site of an earlier Saxon church, partly comprising embellishments added shortly afterwords.

It was built in Purbeck stone, the massive walls are of local rubble faced in ashlar. For centuries the church interior would have looked very different, its walls plastered and whitewashed, and then painted with a geometric design in black and umber. (Parts of the wall painting have survived.) There would also have been a rood screen.

So looking at the church today imparts nothing at all of the impact created by its original colourful interior; on the other hand, one can all the better admire the craftsmanship of the medieval stonemasons.