Isambard Kingdom Brunel

I was fortunate last weekend to enjoy a relaxing weekend at Brunel Manor, near Torquay.  This was my third visit and I always enjoy stopping off to see the ‘totem poles’ known as Brunel’s Dance!

The tall pole is carved with symbols depicting many of Brunel’s engineering achievements. It was created from a 65 foot Sequoia redwood tree that succumbed to a gale, that Brunel had planting in the woods he designed below the Manor House. Brunel had brought the site for his retirement, and designed the house and gardens, although he died before the house was complete.  Although the site immediately around the Manor House is privately owned, there is public access to Brunel Woods where these poles can be seen.

(These photos were taken on a previous visit, it was too wet and grey when I got down to the poles this year to get a decent photo!)