St Michael's church, Abberley
Wall of St Michael's church, Abberley

Beside the rectory of this attractive town stand the ruins of a Norman church, built upon an even older Saxon foundation. The more modern 19th-century church is graced with a 160 foot high clock tower.

St Michael's church

The current church dates to the 12th century but may stand on the same site as a Saxon church. In the 14th century, the Norman church was extended, the roof raised, and a spire erected to top the west tower.

Unfortunately, the foundations proved inadequate for the extra weight, and by the 16th century, the walls had begun to bulge under the strain. The roof was lowered to its original Norman height, but the damage was already done; the church was in danger of complete collapse, so the new Victorian church of St Mary's was built to replace the ancient building.

In the 1960s the church was reduced to the chancel, with the remainder of the Norman building standing only as roofless walls.

St Mary's church

Built in 1850 to replace the Norman church, this Victorian gem stands in a delightful location amid peaceful countryside.

To the south of the village are the Abberley Hills, including Woodbury Hill, with an ancient hill fort on its summit.

Just outside Abberley is Stockton, home of the Queen Anne mansion, The Elms, built by Gilbert White, a pupil of Christopher Wren. The Elms is now a hotel.

About Abberley
Address: Abberley, Worcestershire, England
Attraction Type: Town
Location map
OS: SO745675
Photo Credit: Philip Halling, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence


HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Historic Time Periods:

Saxon
Victorian

Find other attractions tagged with:

12th century (Time Period) - 14th century (Time Period) - 16th century (Time Period) - 19th century (Time Period) - Christopher Wren (Person) - hill fort (Historical Reference) - Norman (Architecture) - Queen Anne (Person) - Saxon (Time Period) - Victorian (Time Period) -


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Witley Court - 1.9 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Great Witley, St Michael & All Angels Church - 2.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Lower Sapey, St Bartholomew's Church - 5.1 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Wichenford Dovecote - 5.4 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Bewdley Museum - 5.5 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Military Wireless Museum - 7 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Edvin Loach Old Church - 7.6 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Hawford Dovecote - 7.6 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating



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