The cache is not in the Church Grounds and public access is unimpeded.
I can't help but think what a great pity it would be if this was treated just as a "Cache and Dash"; it is such a wonderful place and well worth a wander.
The hide lends itself to a fairly easy sweep, easing the need for stealth, a little. Having said that, it is close to the road. I'm sure you'll see what I mean.
St Mary's (St Mary the Virgin), Great Witcombe with Bentham lies in a beautiful setting below the curving, heavily wooded slopes of the Cotswold escarpment.
It was founded in the 12th century and is a Grade 1 Listed Building.
It features facets both old and new, including the dramatic Norman dog-tooth arch, and the late medieval stained glass windows with their particularly vivid colours.
Also of note are the Norman Nave and Chancel, a fine late Perpendicular north aisle, an 18th century west tower, classical in detailing and Gothic in overall appearance.
There are, of course, many other historical and architectural features; too many to mention here, but I must mention the wonderful sundial clock on the Tower, which dates from the late 1700s.
The church serves a varied parish of scattered dwellings -some along the Roman road as it climbs Birdlip Hill, one of the steepest parts of the Cotswold scarp slope. The now by-passed community of Little Witcombe forms the largest group of houses in the parish near to the pub and shop.
The Cotswold Way path weaves its way through the woods at the top of the slope and we welcome a good number of visitors during the year to this sequestered spot; once discovered, never forgotten.
One final feature, well worth a mention is the old mounting block, placed outside the church gate and grounds; placed there for one of the village ladies, who rode pillion to the church on service days.
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If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
To view the church micro stats & information page, please click here
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