St Mary the Virgin
Wendens Ambo, Essex
The combination of church and cottages here is rural England at its most appealing.
Its treasures include the Newport Chest, a portable altar of the late 12th century with oil paintings, and an octagonal font of similar age. The porch is 15th century, over which is a priest’s room with a library founded by Dr Thomas Bray. There are brasses from 1515 and 1608, and some 14th century stained glass.
The church has six bells, the earliest about 1450. Its tower is visible for miles around.