Parts of Building.

Monuments.

The cathedral has a number of interesting ruins on the northern side. These include the remains of a Dominican monastery, founded in the ninth century and rebuilt in 1115, of which some arches and pillars remain. There are other buildings partially adapted for modern purposes.

Gloucester also possesses some churches of considerable interest, such as St. Mary de Lode, said to be the oldest in the city, with the Norman chancel and tower of the original building. In the churchyard stands a monument to Bishop Hooper, burnt alive on the spot in 1555. St. Mary de Crypt is of Early English workmanship, and derives its name from two large crypts beneath it. It stands in Southgate Street, and has a beautiful and lofty tower. St. Michael the Cross was rebuilt in 1815, but incorporates original Decorated work. It is said to have a connection with the ancient Abbey of St. Peter. The curfew bell is still rung from the tower every evening. St. Nicholas, in Westgate Street, also contains Norman and Early English work.

One of the greatest charms of Gloucester lies in the multiplicity of houses to be found which range in date from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, and a ramble through the streets will disclose many besides those seen with a hurried glance. The New Inn, for example, despite its unpromising name, possesses a courtyard with surrounding gallery eminently medieval in every respect, and the feeling is not lessened by a descent into the adjoining vaults. It was built in 1450 by John Twining, a monk, for the accommodation of pilgrims to the shrine of Edward II. It may be of interest to note that the wood employed is chestnut. A fine old timbered house stands in Northgate Street, but has been refronted. A passage, however, affords a view at the side. There are many other examples of old domestic architecture to be found at the junctions of the four principal streets in the centre of the town, where, it may be mentioned, the Town Hall stands upon the site of the ancient Courts of Justice.

In selecting a motoring centre in this part of England, the writer has found Gloucester to be a very suitable one in every way. The Bell and County Hotel has a large garage, and combines in a very exceptional manner the charm of the old-fashioned English hostelry with the needs of the present day. Apart from the long routes described in these pages, there are many short runs from Gloucester to pretty villages in the Cotswolds and to historic spots, such as Berkeley Castle, Llanthony Abbey, Deerhurst Priory, and a dozen other places, which a local handbook will point out. Nearly all the important places in the neighbourhood are described in this book.

LOOP No. 6