Kingsbridge Cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth
One of the most searched-for terms that bring people to this blog is “Kingsbridge Cathedral,” which is interesting as the place does not exist.
Kingsbridge does and is a lovely town south of Totnes and north of Salcombe in the South Hams area of Devon, 6 miles upstream from the sea. Kingsbridge dates back to the 10th century and has some lovely cobbled lanes, a colorful country craft market, and some recommended pubs and restaurants.
So what is the fascination with the mythical Kingsbridge Cathedral?
The Pillars of the Earth
The answer lies in the book The Pillars of the Earth by popular novelist Ken Follett and the subsequent TV series adaptation.
Follett’s epic 1000+ page yarn tells the story of the building of a 12th century English cathedral, supposedly based on Salisbury Cathedral and Wells Cathedral. The book details the lives, loves, and fears of those involved, set against the political intrigue and violent skullduggery of those times. This is a period in English history known as “the Anarchy”.
Kingsbridge Series
The Pillars of the Earth is one of the UK’s most-read books and was voted into the top 100 best-loved books in the BBC’s Big Read at number 33.
The book spawned a sequel called World Without End which takes place in the same fictional place but 200 years later.
Another Ken Follett novel in the Kingbridge series is A Column of Fire published in 2018.
In 2020 the prequel The Evening and the Morning was published.
Kingsbridge Cathedral is based on Salisbury Cathedral
So if you do come to Kingsbridge you won’t find its cathedral but you will find a beautiful place that was inhabited at the time Follett’s book is set. As well there are a number of medieval churches such as St. Thomas of Canterbury parish church in Dodbrooke.
Thomas Becket, the Archbishop who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, is portrayed in the book.
Ken Follett
Follett was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1949 before moving to London with his Plymouth Brethren parents. He later studied philosophy at UCL. Barred from watching TV and listening to the radio by his religious parents, Follett read heavily as a youth.
He first began writing World War II and Cold War thrillers before embarking on historical novels. His first book Eye of the Needle was an instant hit. The Pillars of the Earth remains his most popular and successful book.
Books by Ken Follett
The Pillars of the Earth
Buy this book from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
World Without End
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A Column of Fire
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The Evening & The Morning
Buy this book from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
Eye of The Needle
Buy this book from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
Never (2021)
Buy this book from Amazon USA | UK | Japan
South Devon Kingsbridge Kingsbridge Cathedral
Accommodation in Salisbury
Places to stay in Salisbury include the three-star Cathedral Hotel and the four-star Dean Court Hotel. Also recommended are the four-star Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel and the four-star Legacy Rose & Crown Hotel. The Best Western Red Lion Hotel is set in a 13th-century building on Milford Street with a recommended restaurant. The hotel boasts antique bespoke furnishings made on site as well as individually
See a listing of hotels in Salisbury from luxury hotels to budget hostels and guest houses.
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