Avenbury St Marys church founded in 840 AD rebuilt in Norman times; the tower was built in the 13th century but closed in 1931.
Avenbury St Marys church was founded in 840 AD but rebuilt in Norman times; the tower was built in the 13th century but closed in 1931. Many of the Baskerville family 0f Sherlock Holmes fame are buried in the churchyard. Three of the bells were rehung in St Andrew by the Wardrobe, London, in 1933. In June 2009 St Mary's church was bought by a local archaeologist and, in conjunction with English Heritage, restoration work commenced: St Mary's is a grade II scheduled monument and is on the "Heritage at Risk Register". Some people have called it the most haunted building in Britain. It is hidden away from the outside world by dense woodland, the ruinous church is both lovely and creepy. Visit the church in the closing light of day, or when the night’s shadows have wrapped themselves around its toppled walls and solitary tower, and feelings of trepidation and fear take hold the moment you lay eyes on it. It stands in a woodland clearing close to the picturesque banks of the River Frome, and long held the reputation for being one of the most haunted churches in the county, if not the country, and many of those who visit the site leave it having experienced varying degrees of paranormal activity. The church dates from the 12th century and for nigh on seven hundred years it served the, now disappeared, village of Avenbury. But by the late 19th century the church had fallen into a state of decay and, despite several attempts to repair it, the situation worsened and, in 1931, St Mary’s was closed. One couple even reported hearing the sound of a joyous celebration coming from inside the empty and dark church at midnight one Christmas night.
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Avenbury, Bromyard, Herefordshire, England, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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