During Summer 2010 we are offering Friends of the National Churches Trust the chance to explore some beautiful and often little known churches through a series of guided visits. Author, lecturer and experienced guide, Tim Bridges of the Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust, will lead five tours by coach and one town walk exploring a selection of churches, looking at their architecture, history, furnishings, stained glass and monuments. Spread across the country these visits give an opportunity to enjoy church buildings of all periods from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day and to find out more about their treasures. The visits to Coventry and Warwickshire are set either side of a weekend in mid July presenting a chance to spend it in the beautiful Heart of England.
For further details and to book your place, please contact us on 020 7776 1049 or email events@nationalchurchestrust.org
All full day tours are £30 per person. This includes coach transport, lunch and refreshments. The afternoon town walk in Coventry is £15 per person.
Places are limited, so please book early. Download a booking form or contact us and we will send you one.
Afternoon Town Walk around Coventry
Friday 16th July, 2pm – 5pm
Coventry is well known for the story of its destruction and rebuilding during the twentieth century. During this afternoon walk the surviving medieval churches and monastic remains together with Victorian Catholic and Non-Conformist churches and chapels will be set in the context of this vibrant city which has a long history, yet is no stranger to change and development.
Start and return Coventry Cathedral.
Visiting
Holy Trinity; Late medieval gem next to the ruins of the old cathedral, with fine restored Doom wall painting. and interesting Victorian restoration.
St John Baptist; Fifteenth century cruciform Collegiate church linked to medieval Bablake School and Bond's Hospital
St Osburg RC Church; Fine building of 1845 by Charles Hansom, architect of many Midlands Catholic churches
Queens Road Baptist Church
Warwick Road United Reformed Church
It may also be possible to pass by the fine remains of medieval Whitefriars, Greyfriars, and Charterhouse, as well as the London Road Cemetery laid out by Paxton.
Hidden Gems of the Warwickshire Cotswolds
Monday 19th July, 10am – 4pm
The lower northern end of the Cotswold Hills is less well known to the tourist, yet it contains some of the most unspoilt countryside and prettiest villages in the region. The honey coloured medieval parish churches are a delight, with fine work of all the medieval periods. Highlights include the remarkable Saxon architecture at Tredington and the medieval interior of Burton Dassett, which contrast with classical elegance at Honington and a secret Georgian Catholic chapel at Brailes.
Start and return Stratford-upon-Avon Station
Visiting
St Gregory, Tredington; Anglo-Saxon and medieval church with tall spire, wonderful range of medieval and 17th century furnishings.
All Saints, Honington; A Classical delight in village parkland setting.
St Peter, Whatcote; Small medieval church, recently beautifully reordered.
Lunch
St George, Brailes; The 'Cathedral of the Feldon', a magnificent 14th century Gothic church.
St Peter & St Paul, Brailes; A rare example of a rural Roan Catholic Church of the 18th century.
St Michael, Warmington; Hilltop medieval church with Decorated Gothic Chancel and medieval priest's rooms.
All Saints, Burton Dassett; Isolated and atmospheric large church from a vanished medieval town, with delightful carvings and remains of wall painting.
Saxons and Shepherds by the South Downs, West Sussex
Friday 3rd September, 10am – 4pm
Just inland from the busy Sussex coast it is a surprise to discover delightful churches in remote, beautiful locations on the South Downs. Magnificent Saxon work at Sompting leads on to the simple medieval shepherds' churches of the Adur and Arun Valleys, and the visit includes a look at the fine medieval wall paintings of Coombes and Hardham.
Start and return Worthing Station
Visiting
St Mary, Sompting; Unique Saxon tower and Templars' church
Coombes; Downland church with medieval wall paintings
St Botolph, Botolphs; Simple Saxon and medieval church by the River Adur
Lunch
Wiggonholt; Shepherd's church on the common
St Botolph, Hardham; Norman church by the River Arun with extraordinary wall paintings
North Stoke; Remote cruciform church with early stained glass
Towers, Spires, Monks and Squires, Dorset
Friday 10th September, 10am – 4pm
In an undiscovered corner of this beautiful county, fine medieval churches contain a wealth of interesting glass and furnishings. The landmark gothic tower of Yetminster or spire of Trent tell od medieval splendour, whilst the classical memorials at Over Compton and Longburton recall the wealth of Stuart and Georgian landowners. All are close to the glorious abbey church at Sherborne, which is renowned for its beautiful fan vaulted ceiling.
Start and return Sherborne Station
Visiting
St Andrew, Trent; Beautifully situated medieval church with spire, superb medieval and 17th century furnishings and monuments, continental stained glass.
St Michael, Over Compton; Medieval and Georgian estate church with fine memorials to the Goodden family.
St James, Longburton; Late medieval church with unusual 17th century monuments
Lunch
St Andrew, Yetminster; Medieval church with fine stonework and roofs
St Mary, Bradford Abbas; Late medieval church with fine tower and furnishings
Sherborne Abbey; Fine medieval abbey church with beautiful fan vaulting, and incorporating remains of the Saxon cathedral
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