BRIDOL is the British Sundial Society's Register of Fixed and Mass Dials, which gives detail and photographs of about 8000 fixed sundials and 3000 mass dials in the UK.
Some of these are in private gardens, but the majority are publicly available.
The Countess’s pillar is on the roadside of the A66, two miles ESE of Penrith. An inscription reads: "This pillar was erected Anno 1656 by the Hon. Anne, Countess Dowager of Pembroke, and daughter and sole heir of the Rt. Hon. George, Earl of Cumberland, and for a memorial of her last parting in this place with her good and pious mother, the Rt. Hon. Margaret, Countess Dowager of Cumberland, the 2nd of April, 1616. In memory whereof she also left an annuity of four pounds to be distributed to the poor within the parish of Brougham every 2nd day of April for ever, upon the stone table here hard by." Two shields of arms (Clifford impaling Vipont, and Clifford impaling Russell). Restored 1950 & again by English Heritage 1985. Similarities with 2 dials in Appleby’s Boroughgate. Shows 6am to 6pm in hours on S face. 2-10.30 on East face and 1:30 to 9 on west face. Three dials. Square cone finial surmounted by ball and spike. Inscription describes some of the history.
Also see web about this excellent lady.
Ref: ’Clocks’ Magazine, Feb 2005 and Dec 2006, C St J Daniel.
