Historic Church Tour, History by the riverside in Berkshire - SOLD OUT

Discover medieval wall paintings, Norman fonts, and stunning memorials in this tour of three churches in an idyllic riverside setting.

Please note that this tour has now sold out. If you wish to be added to the waiting list for this event please email [email protected].

In this tour, you will step inside the churches that contain some remarkable treasures. Yet sometimes it’s not the craftsmanship but the atmosphere that fires the imagination – the way windows scatter gems of light on an old tiled floor, or the peace of a quiet corner that has echoed with prayer for centuries.

Firstly, we will visit 13th-century church, St Bartholomew’s, Lower Basildon, near a beautiful stretch of the Thames that was built by the people, for the people. You will be able to discover inside several stunning memorials, including brass effigies of John Clerk and his wife Lucie, both in Medieval costume. The 19th-century memorial for Sir Francis Sykes has a statue of a woman weeping, by John Flaxman, famous for his Wedgwood designs.

Then, you will have a chance to enjoy Dorchester Abbey, one of the finest monastic buildings with a history going back to 635AD.

Our final stop will be St Thomas’, East Shefford, the church, with pre-Norman origins, stands in an idyllic spot beside a water meadow. It is full of simple craftsmanship, glorious Medieval wall paintings and fabulous tombs. The alabaster statue of local noble Sir Thomas Fettiplace lies alongside that of his wife and gives a rare glimpse of 15th-century fashion.

This tour will begin at Goring train station at 10am, and will then return to the station by 4.30pm.