St Mary’s Church stands on a raised hilltop site, held by an ancient retaining wall, facing across the Thames valley to Wittenham Clumps (Mother Dunch's Buttocks) and the iron age hill fort. The first record of a priest in Garsington is about 1160, about the time of the earliest part of the present church building. However, archaeological evidence confirms the existence of a smaller earlier church on this site, whose foundation may have been a century before.
The church tower was part of the original late 12thC church. Apart from the tower, there is little left of this early building, which would have had a chancel, nave and tower.
St Mary's has been undergoing some major restoration work to its tower and other parts. Sadly the church has suffered a serious attack during the night hours of Tuesday, September 18th. Thieves stripped the roofing and guttering materials over the south aisle, dislodging and smashing ancient parapet stonework while so doing. Additionally, they ascended the tower in search of more materials, and there caused major damage to newly restored stonework. Some of these mindless acts of vandalism are clear for all to see, please heed the warnings about staying clear of the tower during high winds.
The cache is hidden in an area with fairly dense tree cover so you may have a bit of trouble with satellite reception and you will also find some brambles so take care, you have been warned!
There is a small amount of parking at the entrance to the church or you can park on the street a little way up the hill but please park considerately as this is a residential area.