St Mary's Church, Aldworth

St Marys Church is absolutely extraordinary! It is situated on the edge of the village in beautiful West Berkshire countryside. The church yard has an incrediblypossibly 2000 year old Yew Tree in the church yard. Inside are 9 incredible medieval effigies dating from 1300-1350. The knights are mostly from the de La Beche family. One Sir Philip de La Beche was valet to Edward 2nd but later jailed with his sons as a rebel, pardoned by Edward 3rd and said to stand 7 foot tall! Some are very worn but one in particular has some of the most incredible carving I have seen anywherethe belt and tunic is exquisitely beautiful. Near the bell tower ( they are looking for some new bell ringers! ) are some beautiful medieval pew ends carved with birds and other beasts. The church is exceptional and must be protected for future generations to enjoy.
Dec 8th, 2022

Interesting Yew tree in graveyard 1000's of years old.
Sep 7th, 2022

What looks a regular church , has a hidden surprise. It is the home of the aldworth giants, a series of carved tombs set into the walls. If in the area stop by its well worth a look at how well these tombs are preserved. Parking is down a nearby lane.
Jun 17th, 2022

Mar 5th, 2022

Parts of this fascinating village church date back to around twelve hundred, although the site is much older. Inside the church are nine stone effigies, from the early 1300s, a Norman so-called "flowerpot" font as well as a more youthful Jacobean pulpit. The 1000 year old yew, which "graspest at the stones" according to Tennyson, should maybe have hung on tighter; it was toppled in a storm in 1976! However part of its root survives and has sprouted new growth. Holly trees in a ring in the churchyard hint at its pagan past. The ashes of war poet Laurence Binyon (he of the haunting words "they shall not grow old") are buried with his wife in the graveyard.
May 8th, 2021