St Mary's church was most likely built by the Knights Templar in the early thirteenth century. Originally a chancel and tower and small nave, the building was modified in the 15th century.
The church tower is about 10 feet square and of a style which has elements of the late Norman and early English periods. It is decorated with wall paintings which span six centuries, some of which were only rediscovered in the 1960s.
The cache owners love this church because of its gorgeous setting and the views of it as one approaches. However we discovered it through a favourite film from the 1980s called 'A Month in the Country'. It's a lovely film based on the JL Carr novel (not the Chekhov play) about two WWI veterans. It starred Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh and the late Natasha Richardson. Another acting connection here is the grave of Oscar-winning actress Dame Wendy Hiller Gow.
Update: the church has now placed some materials for visitors in the area near the apse. There are several books with fascinating information about the parish, the building, the filming and even Roman artifacts found here. Definitely worth planning a few extra minutes to look.
Parking available at the church (shows up as parking for nearby cache). Cache is just outside the churchyard which GCers will have to roam through to find it (unless approaching from a distance in the other direction). Container is 200ml clip-lock with room for small swaps and trackables. [Update 28 May 2014: have increased size of container for now...] Happy caching!
Congratulations to grgh for FTF!!!!!
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************