Venue

This fine 17th century timber-framed octagonal market hall is a monument to Dunster's once-flourishing cloth trade.

The building is octagonal in shape, and built almost entirely of wood. Gables over each side contain windows which help to light the interior; a central stone pillar topped by a bell turret supports the open roof. The different parts of the building make up a harmonious whole; note how the eaves were made to project in order to give shelter to prospective customers as they inspected the goods laid out for sale.

History

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of inclusive activities: exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations. The Society owns and runs its own exhibition venue, the RBSA Gallery, located just off St Paul’s Square, near Birmingham’s historic jewellery quarter and a short walk from the city centre.

In a delightful woodland setting, these low, grass-covered ruins are the remains of a moated 13th century manor house built by Andrew de Cardinham.

Moated manor houses are found mainly in central and eastern England, but are rare in the south-west. Penhallam is therefore particularly unusual. 

Also having been abandoned in the 14th century, its full medieval ground plan has survived unaltered by later building work.

This unique museum is situated in Nay, between Lourdes and Pau, in the heart of the Bearn.

It gives an insight into the history of beret manufacturing, from the earliest times to the present day.