Church of St. Bartholomew, Wanborough

St Bartholomew’s Church has a unique, peaceful, prayerful atmosphere. It is in regular use for worship and this weekend we offer it to you as a quiet place to reflect and pray while also offering you a chance to discover some of its intriguing history.

The Domesday book records a Saxon church at “Weneberge” before 1060. This church was largely rebuilt by the Cistercian monks of Waverley Abbey during their tenure from the 12th century onwards and pilgrims used to visit the church and seek refreshment from the monks on their way to Canterbury. After the closure of the monasteries, the building became a parish church. However, towards the end of the 17th century the church gradually became used more as a farm building.

The fine roof was one of the reasons why people wanted the church restored and, after some work by Woodyer, the church was reopened for worship in 1860. All the coloured glass dates from then on. The two striking Arts and Crafts style windows are memorials to the West family. Beneath the parish war memorial is a moving plaque remembering the brave men and women of the Special Operations Executive who trained at Wanborough Manor during the Second World War.

For this year’s Heritage theme we will be tracing the history of the church through architecture and taking a look at some of the work of the Victorian architect, Henry Woodyer. So come along and tell the time with our mass sundial, find where they sharpened arrows and make your own masons marks in clay.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1000 - 1700

Sunday 14 September:

1000 - 1700

Location & directions

The Church of St Bartholomew, Wanborough, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 2JR

Directions:

Exit the A31 Hogs Back at the turning for Wanborough and Normandy. Go down Wanborough Hill and turn right into the hamlet of Wanborough. Parking by Wanborough Barn. The church is at the top of the path between the Village Hall and Wanborough Manor.

Contact on day:

Anne Concanen

Telephone number:

+441483811017

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

There is a step up into the Chancel but this does not prevent viewing almost all of the interior detail on the level. The car park is behind the barns and there is a slight slope up to the church. Accessible toilets are in the adjacent Village Hall.

Additional information

A guide will be available to give 10 minute talks on the history of St Bartholomew’s. Alternatively, discover the story of the church at your leisure. Wanborough is en fête for the weekend so you can also visit Wanborough Barn and homemade refreshments are available in the Village Hall.

Max no of people per tour:

20

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 10 minute(s)

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