A KNIGHT'S CHURCH IN A SECRET VALLEY

A KNIGHT’S CHURCH IN A SECRET VALLEY

 

In a valley in the Chilterns, frighteningly close to the M40 are the village of Radnage and its exquisite church, St Mary the Virgin. 

 

And it was OPEN!

Radnage is tucked away and up from the village the church sits on a shallow slope. There is a bench by the south wall one can eat one’s sandwiches (which cousin Wendy had made the night before) and enjoy marvellous views over steep fields and woodlands.

A bench by the south wall was the perfect spot for lunch

 

Inside the church all is spick and span, loved, cared for and be enjoyed by passers by.

 

This church was built in the late C12 or early C13 by the Knights Templar. It has a central crossing tower, a late Norman and Early English confection. Throughout there are wall paintings to enjoy and some excellent modern stained glass that sits well in windows that have shed light on worshippers for a thousand years.

Inside a absolute delight and full of lovely things

 

The church has benefited in recent times from the darling of film and TV companies.

 

A gentle and welcoming church and no matter that we cannot worship until I think September, when Services may restart, we can certainly, in daylight hours, find rest here.

 

More about the church and its vibrant community is found here: http://www.radnage.net/st-mary-the-virgin-radnage/

 

FOOTNOTE: we entered the churchyard from the Nature Reserve a steep area of woodland that leads down into the secret valley.  This a story for another time…