England
Wiltshire

Wiltshire Travel Guide - Historic Churches

Castle Eaton Church Castle Eaton, Wiltshire A lovely Norman church in the banks of the River Thames. Notable for its striking circular bell turret, carved dragon door stops, and beautifully carved Elizabethan pulpit made of salvaged bits of a 15th century screen. Two fine late Norman doors and a 13th century chancel arch add to the appeal of this beautiful country church. Castle Eaton, Wiltshire, England, Location: In the centre of the village, on a minor road 3 miles north east of Cricklade, off the A419

Chisbury Chapel Location map Chisbury, Wiltshire A small late 13th century chapel made of flint walls and topped with a thatched roof. It was built by the lord of Chisbury Manor as a chapel of ease, so that local villagers and the manor household would not have to travel to Great Bedwyn parish church. An alternative theory is that it was a free chapel supported by the Abbey of St Denys, in Hampshire. Manor Farm, Chisbury, Wiltshire, England, SN8 3JA Location: Off a minor road just east of Chisbury, by Manor Farm Website: Chisbury Chapel English Heritage

Edington Priory Church Edington, Wiltshire A lovely mid-14th century church built by the Bishop of Winchester for the religious order of Bonshommes. The church is one of the finest examples in the country of the transitional period between Decorated Gothic and Perpendicular architecture.The interior features some excellent medieval tombs, including the painted 15th century Baynton memorial. Edington, Wiltshire, England, Location: On Monastery Rd, in the centre of Edington village, just off the B3098, 5 miles east of Westbury

Old Sarum Old Sarum, Wiltshire In 1075 Bishop Osmund built a cathedral at Old Sarum, beneath the mighty Norman castle. The cathedral lasted until 1220, when the current cathedral of Salisbury was built a few miles to the south. Old Sarum is approached via an opening in two high Iron Age banks, which obscure the site from outside, and give it the air of a mysterious hidden castle. Old Sarum, Wiltshire, England, Location: Just north of Salisbury off the A345

Salisbury Cathedral Location map Salisbury, Wiltshire The see of Salisbury has quite a history. The bishop's seat was originally at Sherborne, then it was shared between Sherborne and Ramsbury, then it was moved to Old Sarum in 1075, where the monks proved incapable of living peaceably with the inhabitants of the castle next door. In 1228 the see moved again to Salisbury (New Sarum), and work was begun on a new cathedral. The upshot of this turmoil was that the new structure was built fresh, without reference to any previous building. Cathedral Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, SP1 2EF Location: In the centre of Salisbury, well signposted for pedestrians. Several paid parking lots available with 5 minutes walk. Website: Salisbury Cathedral Email: visitors@salcath.co.uk Phone: 01722 555 120

St Laurence, Bradford-on-Avon Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire The tiny Saxon church of St Laurence at Bradford on Avon is one of the best preserved Saxon sites in England. Originally built around the year 1000, for many years the church was used as a school, and its ecclesiastical origins were lost. Now fully restored, it provides a moving glimpse of Saxon architecture and worship over a thousand years ago. Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England,

St Michaels, Highworth Location map Highworth, Wiltshire Lovely historic church in the centre of the market town of Highworth. The most notable feature is a small but superbly carved 12th century tympanum over the south door. Vicarage Lane, Highworth, Wiltshire, England, SN6 7AG Location: Just off the Market Square. Nearby paid parking lot, and free on street parking if you can find a spot!

Steeple Ashton Church Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire A superb Perpendicular Gothic church, one of the finest parish churches in the country. St Mary's boasts a variety of exceptional carved grotesques, excellent lierne vaulting, and wonderfully carved figures acting as springers for the nave and aisle vaulting. Church Street, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England, Location: In the centre of the village. Steeple Ashton is located off a minor road about 4 miles east of Trowbridge.