St Bartholomew's Church, Lower Basildon
Berkshire
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About This Church
A church built by the people, for the people
This striking flint-and-brick 700-year-old church stands in a pretty churchyard shaded by fine trees near a beautiful stretch of the Thames.
It is filled with memorials to past parishioners and, in early spring, a host of daffodils. Jethro Tull, the father of modern farming, has a memorial here (although the whereabouts of his grave is unknown) and there is a moving marble statue of two young brothers in swimming trunks who drowned in the Thames in 1886.
The church itself is simple and serene. The nave and south door were built in the thirteenth century, while the ornate roof timbers were installed in the fifteenth century, when parishioners grew rich from the local wool and corn trade.
Inside, there are several stunning memorials, including brass effigies of John Clerk and his wife Lucie, both in medieval costume. The nineteenth-century memorial for Sir Francis Sykes has a statue of a woman weeping by John Flaxman, famous for his Wedgewood designs.
Unfortunately, the roof of St Bartholomew's has started to fail in recent years, resulting in the removal of tiles to make the building safe and a temporary corrugated metal coving has been applied until urgently needed funds are found for cover the cost of a permanent repair. More information is available on the appeal page: Roof Repair at St Bartholomew's, Lower Basildon | The Churches Conservation Trust (visitchurches.org.uk).
Access information
Parking available in small gravel car park at the first left turning before the church. Continue on foot through the pedestrian gate and across the grass churchyard to the covered porch. Single step up to chancel. Otherwise clear access.
For further information please contact the Local Community Officer vgreen@thecct.org.uk
Facilities & Hire
At this church there is lighting and power. There is no toilet
Limited parking available
In the past St Bartholomew's Church has hosted choral concerts and musical events, talks and exhibitions and has a supportive Friends group
The church is available for hire please contact west@thecct.org.uk for more information
- Church Available for Hire
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.
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire County Guide
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire . Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Volunteering Opportunities
The Friends of St Bartholomew's welcome new members to the group. For further information please contact the Local Community Officer Victoria Green vgreen@thecct.org.uk.
Directions
7 miles south of Wallingford, off A329, adjacent to the River Thames and the railway.
Transport
Nearest railway station: Pangbourne (2 miles). Bus route numbers 132, 133.
Community Information
Click here 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 Contact us. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you!
All our Berkshire churches are in our West region.
About Friends of St Bartholomews: to contact the friends group telephone: 020 7240 0444
Useful local links
