Little Rissington

Summary
A quiet village just outside the popular Cotswold destination of Bourton-on-the-Water, Little Rissington is worth visiting for its 12th century church with its moving memorial to RAF servicemen.

The Village
Little Rissington is a very small village, even by Cotswold standards, with most of the houses strung out along the main road from Bourton-on-the-Water. The architecture is typical Cotswold style, with small cottages fronted by flower-boxes.

The village is forever associated with RAF Litttle Rissington, the air base which was located just up the road from here during WWII. The base is gone now, though the base buildings have now become the new village of Upper Rissington, and the aerodrome is now used for hang-gliding.

The main attraction is the 12th century church, which lies apart from the village up a short path to the west of the road. There is some element of mystery in the church's location, as it seems that in the Middle Ages the village was actually clustered about the church, as you would expect.

RAF memorial

However, for a reason that we can only guess, the village moved away from the church, leaving it exposed and somewhat isolated on its hilltop overlooking Bourton. Perhaps plague, that ever-present scourge of medieval times, caused a shift in population. In any event, the church repays a visit; it is small, composed of a nave, north aisle, and sanctuary. On entering, look to the west end, where the last pillar supporting the nave roof is canted at an alarming angle.

The interior is simple, almost plain, yet very appealing. Look to the west window, where modern stained glass shows aeronautic symbols in memory of the RAF servicemen stationed here who lost their lives during the Second World War. Outside the church to the east is a moving memorial to those men; neat rows of plain white headstones ranged about a tall cross.

Leave the RAF memorial and pass to the far west corner of the churchyard. There the ground falls away to provide a lovely view over fields to the vale below.

For a selection of photos of Little Rissington, see our Little Rissington Image Gallery.

Getting there
Little Rissington is half-way up a hill just a mile from the outskirts of Bourton-on-the-Water via Rissington Road. You can walk from the car park on Rissington Road in Bourton (estimated time: 30 minutes), but a better option is to drive, and park in the small lay-by on the left of the road, opposite the sign to the village church.