The inscription by the Rev Bray says "this stone was moved by a flood 1802". The person sitting beside the stone is Dorothy Boddy the wife of the photographer. In around 1802 Edward Bray, senior, acquired Beardown which was promptly enclosed and a house built. Edward Bray considered that the name of the area - Beardown derived from 'Bardun' or the 'Hill of Bards'. Bray's then decided to inscribe rocks and boulders with reference to poetical and druidical heroes, and include some of their writings. He finished 21 inscriptions with 6 which had their couplets. Amongst the upper classes in the 1800s there was an interest in the picturesque concept of wild, rugged landscapes. It became the fashion to go out and appreciate such features and large landowners created walks amongst amongst such scenic places and embellished them with follies, grottoes, etc. He not only embellished the land with his inscriptions he also 'created' a natural grotto and re-named a small river island to add to the effect.

Boddy Collection