As we were returning from Ullswater, we spotted a signpost to 'Historic 12th Century Church' and thought it was worth a look.
St Michael's chuch at Barton, near Pooley Bridge, was built around 1150 - very soon after the Norman conquest which only reached this corner of England in 1092 with the occupation of Carlisle by William II.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLra8uhum1WW4jZt6VWeSHgJNx-LbWFbjXZlB9OAQuy0wNgIEr6IXugMWuKG4xP-GUl8MJEaqbmoJtI7J7CX2Q0KvLa3n8Q_i797baARjoLSoJxogvPnSyeAesyG8ir9WrK28QcP46uUs/s640/DSC_0743.JPG) |
St Michael's and its unusual centre tower |
The unusual feature, unique in Cumbria, is the squat tower in the centre. Its immense weight is supported inside by two double arches which cut the church in two.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaInotaX4usKBO0XXOCuIfVMwrjpHCypaBhIGloP-ktd8rK108vkqlLVH3N35O0gRxPL_nI-XmGq27aGi2KvKrocFd8V0cHxyHBIc4HnW09oCNOd_GrKIp54L8xA4Q_I9nGrpKJSDYBg/s640/DSC_0746.JPG) |
The double rounded chancel arch below the tower |
Outside, the graveyard is circular, suggesting a pre-Christian site.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinoKeW1fVlmmP32_20sYo-fL2-lbaVDUuXSWR1C_4XVSUp6vzcnD8NPFAbuV6KnYvMW09y_UuQTPg-beEpXu0JGkCgow1OqKtUpdLfvnGRd1OqmEc1dzhMaY2GByLyNN54b2UFT8ROYM/s640/barton-9925.jpg) |
The circular graveyard |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirO5zcjcquALt59IC49RJ4lHAVN0hZ58pr_hr9fDF0WIYIiXtPIN5o18QDr34aehBUrtKQJCEnt1HukzGY0nrjCXuqiY1gmHkbtWAdjEmruAJuFfd1s4n4-W1ggBIjr-skL06UYSGGAbE/s640/DSC_0749.JPG) |
View from the graveyard, across the north Cumbria hills |
An unusual church, definitely worth the detour.