The Saxon Sanctuary, Wootton Wawen
Wootton Wawen, Stratford
Possibly the oldest building in Shakespeare Country, St Peter's has a Saxon tower and 'sanctuary' dating back to the tenth century or earlier.
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The minister's extraordinary mixture or architectural styles, complete with mediaeval glass and wall painting, provides an evocative venue for a highly original 'Forest of Arden' exhibition in the barn-roofed Lady Chapel which traces the history of the woodland village. The Colourful handbook includes maps of spectacular local walks through history.
The Ancient Britons first settled here, because they thought, in some sense, this was a sacred place. Today, Wootton Wawen still has its very own ambience.
St Peter's Church here is the oldest in Warwickshire. A Saxon church was founded here in the 700s, when the place was named Wudu Tun, an estate in the woods, those 2 words forming "Wooton". Wawen comes from Wagen, the name of the last Saxon thane to rule the area before the Norman conquest. The first church was built of timber and thatch, and it was later rebuilt in stone.
The long grass in the churchyard adds to the charm of the place. At first the visitor may think the grass has just been left untended. But inside the church, the visitor will find details of a scheme to encourage grasses and wild flowers, which is operating is in selected churchyards in Warwickshire. The grass is cut at particular times of year (haymaking) to help the flowers.
Open
Daily 9am till dusk
Free Admission
Exhibition
http://www.saxonsanctuary.org.uk/index.php/exhibition
Opening times
Please contact the attraction direct for details of opening times.
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