Bishop Pyramid Features In New Book
Published on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Auckland Castle’s pyramid features in a new book by David Winpenny.
Almost 200 pyramids in Britain and Ireland, including the one in Auckland Castle Park, are featured in the first book on the subject, ‘Up to a Point’ which has just been published.
‘Up to a Point – In Search of Pyramids in Britain and Ireland’ by David Winpenny identifies pyramids of all sizes and ages throughout the British Isles. It has taken him six years of research and writing, as well as travelling from the north of Scotland to the Isles of Scilly, and from Norfolk to County Mayo.
He sets the pyramids, which include the Auckland Castle wellhead in the style of architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, in their historical, artistic and literary context and tells the story of their creation.
The book includes tales of eccentric families, feuds, weddings and funerals, assassinations, legal disputes, celebrations, madness and bankruptcy. Its cast includes monarchs and engineers, gardeners and ghosts, poets and scientists, as well as horses, hens and pigs.
There are brick, cast iron and Formica pyramids, as well as the more-traditional stone ones.
‘It’s been fascinating to do the research and the journeys – and to go to places, like Auckland Castle, that might not otherwise have been on my radar! I’ve met so many interesting people on the way, too, who have been very keen on the quest, and I hope that everyone who reads the book will be as fascinated by the stories as I have been. It’s certainly the first time that there’s been a book on the subject!’
David Winpenny, who lives in North Yorkshire, has written newspaper and magazine articles, guidebooks and books of walks. He lectures on subjects, including architecture, follies and landscape gardening, and was a BBC Mastermind finalist in 1999.
This article originally appeared in Issue No. 11. Read or download The Bishop Press Issue No. 11 (PDF).
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Feature: Bishop Pyramid Features In New Book
Almost 200 pyramids in Britain and Ireland, including the one in Auckland Castle Park, are featured in the first book on the subject, 'Up to a Point' which has just been published.
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For years I have wondered why the pyramid in Auckland Castle Park was built.
Could it be something to do with the building of Vinovium House on Tenter Street?
When the heights from sea level are compared on Google Earth, they both are 111 metres.
Also, the south west face of the pyramid looks directly to Vinovium House.
Are these just coincidences?
Thank you,
Colin
Comment by Colin — February 4, 2010 @ 7:14 pm