Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan
Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day (Friday, 8th August, 2025)
Stone Mounting Ramp
Pity about the graffiti on the wall but that’s the way of the world, that aside:
Stone Mounting Blocks or Ramps were a common feature up until the end of the 1700's at Inns, Country Houses, Churches etc. when roads were no more than dirt tracks, usually in very poor condition even for carriages and therefore these were an obligatory feature at a journeys end for a Gentleman to mount or dismount his horse with dignity.
Very few examples, if any, such as this ramped design remain in the UK so to have this still in a back alley off Church Gates and once used by the gentry and nobility attending services at All Saints Parish Church is rare and I think of historic importance.
Perhaps not too fanciful to think that Bonny Prince Charlie 'The Young Pretender' might have mounted his horse from this when he stayed close by in Hallgate with his Scottish troops on 1745.
Photo: Colin Traynor (iPhone)
Stone Mounting Blocks or Ramps were a common feature up until the end of the 1700's at Inns, Country Houses, Churches etc. when roads were no more than dirt tracks, usually in very poor condition even for carriages and therefore these were an obligatory feature at a journeys end for a Gentleman to mount or dismount his horse with dignity.
Very few examples, if any, such as this ramped design remain in the UK so to have this still in a back alley off Church Gates and once used by the gentry and nobility attending services at All Saints Parish Church is rare and I think of historic importance.
Perhaps not too fanciful to think that Bonny Prince Charlie 'The Young Pretender' might have mounted his horse from this when he stayed close by in Hallgate with his Scottish troops on 1745.
Photo: Colin Traynor (iPhone)
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