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.
Kingston Lacy is a National Trust property and there is an admission charge, except for NT members. Opening hours are published on the internet. The sundial on its stone plinth is in the informal garden to the south of the house.
The aligned Roman numerals run from 4am to 8pm with IIII for 4 and XII for noon. There are subdivisions for 30, 15 and 5 minutes with fleurs-de-lys on the half hours. The sturdy gnomon has semi-circular supports. An 8 point compass rose is centred on the dial with points labelled NE etc.
The motto, inside the chapter ring on the north side, reads: ’Life is short, Time is swift, Much is to be done.’ The inscription on the south side is: ’W Watson & Sons / 313 High Holborn / London’. If visiting be sure to look for the armillary sphere, which has a separate entry (SRN 2007).
