Tennyson Quote at Blackdown
Probably the most famous admirer of the common and nearby former resident was poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. This sandstone sculpture is inspired by some of his words.
Sculptor Graeme Mitcheson was given a tour of the common by National Trust ranger David Elliot, who shared the history of how it had been used and evolved over the centuries, along with an ancient document granting tights of pasture to the common land.
Graeme was inspired by the beautifully hand written documents.The scupture incorporates a quote, long associated with the site written by Tennyson using the font taken directly from the documents relating to the rights of the common land.
It makes reference to the beautiful landscape and view from the site but also nods to its industrious past.