St Lawrence (Old Church) Info
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Best KPortal Reviews
Great place to visit if you like historical places no longer in use. Shame the day we visited the gates were locked. Have visited before and wandered around the ruins and old cemetery, got some fab photos somewhere.
The ruins of the original St Lawrence Church are a Grade II* listed building and date back to the 12th century.
The church was partially demolished in 1775 by Sir Lionel Lyde, a wealthy tobacco merchant, a director of the Bank of England and lord of the manor. He had decided to replace the church with a new church, as a feature to be viewed from his country mansion, but apparently without informing the bishop. The bishop ordered the demolition of the old church to stop; Sir Lionel complied but continued with his vanity project and made no effort to restore the old church.
The remains of the old church are a lovely feature of this picturesque village.
A gem - the broken flint stone walls add to its charm
Fun little ruins to look around.
It's not anything I'd travel far to see, but it's a pleasant little spot if you're passing, and could make a fan location for a photoshoot or similar.
Remarkable Greek-revival church unlike anything else you'll see in this area. It adds to diversity of this historic village. Note the tombs at either side: Sir Lionel Lyde & his wife didn't have a happy marriage and he wrote in his will "What the church united in life, let it keep separate in death" and so he and his wife were buried apart. Also it is built with the altar facing west.
A lot smaller than I was expecting set in a lovely little village, but well worth a visit if you're passing.
6th Century Ayot St Lawrence Old Church. Later additions to brickwork can be seen but the original entrance is on the reverse of the tower identified by the font at the left side of the doorway where the holy water would have been for pilgrims to bless themselves while entering.
Still a remarkable old church and well worth a visit.
My personal score is 10/10.
Really cool place to explore, follow the public footpath to the left and find the secret greek inspired church tucked away.
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