St Mary's Church, Hardington Bampfylde
Somerset
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About this church
A charming church that hides a tragic history
This peaceful church in a working farmyard has beautiful unspoilt Georgian furnishings and a wonderfully preserved Norman tower - one of the smallest complete church towers in England.
Yet the tranquil atmosphere hides a tragic history: the church and village became almost extinct during the Black Death of 1348.
The Bampfylde family restored the village fortunes in the fifteenth century, and inside the church you can see several Bampfylde memorials - as well as delightful box pews, pulpit and altar rails, also remains of wall paintings and a Royal Arms of Charles I.
Please make a donation to St Mary's Church by texting 'HAB' to 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.
Access information
You can drive right up to the church (head left at the large Manor Farm sheds) and park on the small grass churchyard next to the church, in an area surrounded by farm buildings and houses. The entrance to the church is on the south side from the flat, small grass churchyard. There is one shallow step from the door to the stone tiled nave, and a further step up to the altar. The door can be stiff but should be open daily.
Volunteering opportunities
We are currently looking for volunteers at St Mary's Church to help with research, interpretation and talks, fundraising and events organising.
If you are interested in helping please contact the Local Community Officer Marie Leverett via email.
Facilities & hire
St Mary's Church is available to hire for events and is a unique and beautiful venue.
Due to its historic nature the church has no heating, electricity, running water or toilet facilities so thought needs to be given for events longer than a couple of hours (e.g. portaloo hire).
St Mary's Church has a maximum capacity of 60 including performers, volunteers and staff.
If you would like to hire this church please contact the Local Community Officer Marie Leverett via email.
- Church available for hire
- Opportunities to volunteer
Directions
3 miles north west of Frome, off A362.
From the A362 take Pillar Lane (you should see a brown 'historic church' sign pointing the way). The road to the church is just before you reach the group of farm buildings and is via a small unmarked road at the bend in Pillar Lane. If you reach the farm buildings you have gone too far and missed the turn off. The road is the entrance to Manor Farm and can be seen if you switch the Google map (see Map tab) to the satellite imagery instead of street map.
You can drive right up to the church (head left at the large Manor Farm sheds) and park on the small grass churchyard next to the church, in an area surrounded by farm buildings and houses.
Transport
Nearest railway station: Frome (4 miles).
History & further information
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Somerset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Community information
Click the link below to download a copy of the Church Plan which sets out the shared vision for the future of the church. This is a working document that will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you.
Hardington Bampfylde St Mary's Church Plan
Hardington Bampfylde is in our West region. We are actively looking for volunteers to help with fundraising for this church - if you can help, get in touch.
Useful local links:
- Visit Somerset
- Family Days Out in Somerset
- Somerset & Dorset Family History
- Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society
- Friends of Somerset Churches & Chapels
- Somerset is in the Diocese of Bath & Wells
- List of churches in Somerset
