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2023

SW9959 : Roche - the track to the rock and chapel

taken 2 years ago, near to Roche, Cornwall, England

This is 1 of 24 images, with title starting with Roche in this square
Roche - the track to the rock and chapel
Roche - the track to the rock and chapel
The dramatic monolith upon which St Michael's chapel is perched is itself atop a slight hill. The track up this gentle incline is seen here with the rock and chapel ahead.
Roche: Rock and Chapel

Roche Rock is a group of quartz-schorl outcrops on a small hill to the south of the village of Roche. Built dramatically on top of the largest outcrop is the former Chapel of St Michael.
The name "Roche" (pronounced "Roach") comes from the Norman French for Rock, thus the geographical feature gives its name to the village, making Roche Rock something of a tautology, or alternatively "so good they had to name it twice"!
The composition of the rock is a fine example of quartz schorl, being a mixture of grey quartz with black tourmaline (schorl). It is of considerable interest to geologists.
The main outcrop rises about 20m (66') from the top of the hill and is surrounded by smaller outcrops creating an unusual and intricate landscape.
Sitting on top of this rock and seeming to grow directly from it is the ruined Chapel of St Michael. This little building was licensed in 1409 and it is thought that it was the abode of a hermit, monk or possibly a leper (or perhaps a combination of these). Originally there were stone steps leading up to the chapel from the base of the rock, but these were removed by the local lord of the manor for a house that he was building! However access to this historic little structure is still possible as an iron ladder has been set into the rock allowing visitors to enter the lower chamber. A second affixed metal ladder then leads up to the higher level. It is not too strenuous a climb and worth it for the views from the top.
The chapel is Grade I listed by Historic England: LinkExternal link
And is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument: LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rob Farrow and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Village, Rural settlement Religious sites Place: Roche Primary Subject: Rock other tags: Chapel Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Atop [3] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
SW9959, 78 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Rob Farrow   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Saturday, 2 September, 2023   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 11 September, 2023
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SW 9911 5961 [10m precision]
WGS84: 50:24.1168N 4:49.6934W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SW 9912 5965
View Direction
South-southwest (about 202 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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