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| Victorian Dragon Finial |
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| Look up at Cafe Nero |
The dragon was correctly identified by an 'Anonymous' reader as sitting on the roof above Cafe Nero in the High Street.
Dragon finials or ridge dragons, as they are sometimes known, are typical of the Victorian era. Their purpose was not only a decorative device to emphasize the apex of a roof, but for the superstitious it was believed to ward off witches and other evil creatures. Victorian architecture and art was highly influenced by the Far East, and often 19th century ornamental roof dragons reflect Chinese decoration.
So remember to look up before going into Cafe Nero and spot the dragon looking down on you.
