The Palladian Church
The Grade 1 listed Palladian Church was commissioned by Sir Lionel Lyde around 1776 and designed by Nicholas Revett, a gentleman architect and member of the Dilettanti Club - a well-travelled man with a passion for classical buildings. The church is loosely modelled on the temple to Apollo on the island of Delos, in the Cyclades - which makes it an early example of the Greek Revival style rather than the 'Palladian' by which it is known. The church was built in parkland belonging to Sir Lionel and so, orientated in reverse to conventional church building rules. As the front door faces Ayot House, the altar resides, unusually, at the west end of the church. This main door was intended for the use of the Lyde family and invitees - villagers were to enter through a side door, which now forms the entrance to newly constructed toilet and kitchenette facilities. Sir Lionel's intention was for the church to serve not only as a village church but also as a mausoleum to his wife and himself. But their marriage was not a happy one, so his will instructed 'what the church united in life, let it keep separate in death' and the pavilions at either side of the main church structure now house Sir Lionel's remains on one side and his wife's on the other!
A group of cachers have gathered together to place caches along The Hertfordshire Way; a 194 mile circular route along public rights-of-way within the County of Hertfordshire. Rather than caches at every 0.1 mile we have tried to put together interesting hides.
Leg 4 stretches from Codicote to St. Albans for 12.6 miles. We advise that you bring sturdy boots for very muddy terrain and a high visibility vest with you because a couple of short sections require walking along the road.
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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.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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To the Next Cache
From the front door of the church, follow the path round to the left, through the church car park and out to the road. Turn right here and follow the road to the second footpath on the left (at the bend in the road). Follow the path along the avenue of trees.