Isle of Wight Ancient Church guide A self guided tour blog

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Isle of Wight Ancient Church guide A self guided tour blog Ever inquisitive, an injury enabled me to spend time studying and Surveying 'Ancient' Churches. This was 20 I visited on the Isle of Wight in 2023.

I am not an expert qualified church historian as will become clear upon reading my descriptions. But I have visited and examined many churches with my knowledge of construction, have spent time with well known experts such as John Vigar, and read many books, papers and publications. I am also a member of the Friend of Friendless Churches, The National Churches Trust, The Church Conservation trust

and do surveys for the Return from the Front charity. My only reason for putting this guide together is to help those visiting or planning to visit to have a better understanding of what they can see, BEFORE they enter the church. Just a little information can add a lot more fun to a visit and hopefully visitors will make a contribution to helping maintain these very important buildings for future generations

St Thomas Minster. Newport. PO 30 1SLplenty of on street or public parking. Easiest is the Morrison car park PO30 1JQ wh...
25/04/2024

St Thomas Minster. Newport. PO 30 1SL
plenty of on street or public parking. Easiest is the Morrison car park PO30 1JQ which is near the church,although you need to check time limits. Click photos for descriptions.

Bonchurch Old Church. PO38 1RG. You need to park and walk down to the church as the access is very very tight. Lots of ...
17/04/2024

Bonchurch Old Church. PO38 1RG. You need to park and walk down to the church as the access is very very tight. Lots of charming places to eat nearby. Click photos for descriptions.

St Peter and St Paul church. Mottistone. PO30 4ED Parking in the National Trust car park to Mottistone Manor which is op...
17/04/2024

St Peter and St Paul church. Mottistone. PO30 4ED Parking in the National Trust car park to Mottistone Manor which is opposite. Click on photos for descriptions.

All Saints church. Calbourne. PO30 4JE
17/04/2024

All Saints church. Calbourne. PO30 4JE

All Saints church. Newchurch.
14/04/2024

All Saints church. Newchurch.

St Mary and St Rhadegund. Whitwell. PO38 2RA. Parking in the road. Pub nearby.Click on photos for descriptions.
14/04/2024

St Mary and St Rhadegund. Whitwell. PO38 2RA. Parking in the road. Pub nearby.
Click on photos for descriptions.

St John the Baptist, Yaverland. PO36 8QWHas its own small car park. Click photos for descriptions.
14/04/2024

St John the Baptist, Yaverland. PO36 8QW
Has its own small car park. Click photos for descriptions.

St John the Baptist. Northwood. PO31 8PR.Click photos for descriptions.
14/04/2024

St John the Baptist. Northwood. PO31 8PR.
Click photos for descriptions.

St Edmunds church. Wooton. PO33 4AAParking in the lane outside.Click photos for descriptions.
14/04/2024

St Edmunds church. Wooton. PO33 4AA
Parking in the lane outside.
Click photos for descriptions.

St John the Baptist, Niton. PO38 2BTClick photos for descriptions.
14/04/2024

St John the Baptist, Niton. PO38 2BT
Click photos for descriptions.

All Saints Church, Freshwater, Isle of Wight.PO40 9BW parking in the nearby pub.Click on photos for descriptions.
13/04/2024

All Saints Church, Freshwater, Isle of Wight.
PO40 9BW parking in the nearby pub.
Click on photos for descriptions.

St Andrews Church. Chale. PO38 2HF Parking in the White mouse pub nearby.
12/04/2024

St Andrews Church. Chale. PO38 2HF Parking in the White mouse pub nearby.

Holy Cross, Binstead.PO33 4PX
12/04/2024

Holy Cross, Binstead.
PO33 4PX

St Peter's Church, Shorwell, Isle of Wight.PO30 3JL. Parking in The Crown pub.
12/04/2024

St Peter's Church, Shorwell, Isle of Wight.
PO30 3JL. Parking in The Crown pub.

10/12/2023

Our ancient churches are all around us. They have been central focal points for our societies going back a thousand years. And beneath or beside our oldest churches are often the remains of even earlier places of worship.
Many Anglo Saxon churches were built of wood and have not survived but the Normans that followed from 1066 were prolific builders thought to have built 7000 churches throughout the country, as well as castles and cathedrals including the Tower of Londons White tower and Durham Cathedral to name but two of hundreds of their well known buildings that are in use to this day.
Many churches have been updated over the years especially during the Victorian period. Whilst this saved many churches it also destroyed a lot of the earlier architecture.
These ancient buildings have more history within them than many other buildings that are open to the public. Buildings that charge an entrance fee.
Currently many active churches are being adapted to meet the needs of society with Toilets and meeting rooms and improved heating.
But others are closing down or falling into disrepair. Church Charities helped but local communities help maintain many churches that would otherwise disappear from our landscape.
There is something very sad about an ancient church covered in Ivy and in a state of collapse.
So how can we stop the loss of these really important buildings, never forgetting they were built for people to worship, to get christened, Married or for end of life services.
They are still central to our lives. When tragedy strikes the community still gathers in the local Church.

Encouraging more visitors is a good start. Understanding a bit more about when and how they were built and what the important features are makes each and every visit a joy.
My focus here is Ancient churches on the Isle of Wight, the place of my birth. There are 20 churches with Anglo Saxon (449AD to 1066) or Norman features. I do not go into a lot of detail but hope reading or looking at the photos with Post Code details will encourage more to visit. Buy their guild books and have a good look around. You will be surrounded with history going back so many generation and so many changes in our society.
Maybe you can plan to see a couple with a lunch in between, its a great way of spending time on this special Island.

St Georges Church, Arreton.Small car park next to Church, PO30 3AP.Select photos for descriptions.
03/12/2023

St Georges Church, Arreton.

Small car park next to Church, PO30 3AP.

Select photos for descriptions.

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