With Spring trying to push its way in, we went out to explore an underground church nearby.
All that remains of St Nicholas church is the Norman crypt, which gives it its “Buried” title. The ancient crypt, excavated in 1929, had been a Norman church until in the 12th century a simple but larger church was built on top of it and the original church used as a burial chamber.
In 1562 John Fisher bought the manor and destroyed the entire village except the church and a farm. The 12th century church was pulled down in 1875 and the crypt church was lost until it’s discovery in 1929.
A service is conducted at the church once a year to maintain its consecrated status.
It reminds me of the lost villages near to Farleigh Wallop and Hartley Mauditt which had the houses cleared to make a nicer view for the land owner. Only the parched grasses of summer show any traces now.
The church isnt easy to find as its hidden in the hill side, the only hint you are close is a small sign point across a field and a low wall that hides a dozen or so gravestones. Once in the the walled area, there is a large slab just above ground level. Steps lead up onto it and worrybomb followed them…
Below the slab is the original church/crypt. There isnt much in there other than a lovely font and a few bits of found rubble.
Outside back in the graveyard, the snowdrops are coming into bloom.
After we got home from the short trip, we went out for a bike ride and prepared for a Film Night with popcorn and sweeties and a DVD we borrowed from Nanny J.