Summary
A quiet village just outside the popular Cotswold destination of Bourton-on-the-Water,
Little Rissington is worth visiting for its 12th century church with
its moving memorial to RAF servicemen.
The
Village
Little Rissington is a very small village, even by Cotswold standards,
with most of the houses strung out along the main road from Bourton-on-the-Water.
The architecture is typical Cotswold style, with small cottages fronted
by flower-boxes.
The village is forever associated with RAF Litttle Rissington, the
air base which was located just up the road from here during WWII. The
base is gone now, though the base buildings have now become the new
village of Upper Rissington, and the aerodrome is now used for hang-gliding.
The main attraction is the 12th century church, which lies apart from
the village up a short path to the west of the road. There is some element
of mystery in the church's location, as it seems that in the Middle
Ages the village was actually clustered about the church, as you would
expect.
However,
for a reason that we can only guess, the village moved away from the
church, leaving it exposed and somewhat isolated on its hilltop overlooking
Bourton. Perhaps plague, that ever-present scourge of medieval times,
caused a shift in population. In any event, the church repays a visit;
it is small, composed of a nave, north aisle, and sanctuary. On entering,
look to the west end, where the last pillar supporting the nave roof
is canted at an alarming angle.
The interior is simple, almost plain, yet very appealing. Look to the
west window, where modern stained glass shows aeronautic symbols in
memory of the RAF servicemen stationed here who lost their lives during
the Second World War. Outside the church to the east is a moving memorial
to those men; neat rows of plain white headstones ranged about a tall
cross.
Leave the RAF memorial and pass to the far west corner of the churchyard.
There the ground falls away to provide a lovely view over fields to
the vale below.
Getting There Little Rissington is half-way up a hill just a mile from the outskirts of Bourton-on-the-Water
via Rissington Road. You can walk from the car park on Rissington Road
in Bourton (estimated time: 30 minutes), but a better option is to drive,
and park in the small lay-by on the left of the road, opposite the sign
to the village church.
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