Farmcote

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Charlton Abbots

Charlton Abbots is not only worth seeing, it’s worth going to see. If you follow the Corndean Lane from Winchcombe, you travel through some of the most beautiful countryside in England. The narrow lane climbs the steep wooded valley, leaving the town far below. The road reaches the brow of the hill where a small number of parked cars marks the path which leads to Belas Knap. This Neolithic long barrow lies a short distance above but that distance is near vertical, so be prepared for quite a strenuous climb. The path to this ancient monument affords wonderful views over Winchcombe which lies in river valley at the foot of the escarpment.

The Corndean Lane is cut into the valley side and snakes along its steeply wooded slopes with views of Sudeley Castle. At the end of the valley is the hamlet of Charlton Abbots, once owned by the Abbots of Winchcombe Even today, the village is a remote spot, in the medieval period it was chosen as the an ideal site for a walled leper hospital. The present village is a small collection of cottages and farm buildings, with the tiny chapel clinging to the hillside below.

The church is small; just nave, south porch and chancel, with a bellcote which has a bell by John of Gloucester c.1346. The building dates from the 13^th century, but had become ruinous by the 18^th century, when a major restoration replaced all but the west wall. The round-headed south doorway survives from the earlier church along with the two lancets in the side walls of the chancel, which have trefoil-headed rere-arches with jamb shafts. Two round-headed windows on the south side of the nave are early 19^th century but the building underwent a significant restoration in 1887 when the chancel arch and the Minton floor tiles were added. A north vestry was built in 1933 by G.W. Atkinson. The 13^th century font was given a 19^th century base. Stained glass in the nave is by James Powell & Sons, north 1914, west 1919. The glass in the chancel is by Warrington & Co, 1887; unfortunately the glass in the triple lancet east window is badly damaged.

From the churchyard the Manor House can be seen high above. On this first warm day of summer the view from the church is magnificent. At the head of the valley this secluded graveyard overlooks fields skirted with woods, a few Cotswold cottages cling to the hillside and horses graze on the short upland grass while a swarm of bees noisily attempts to nest in the church roof.

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