Infrared Church
720nm false colour
Ayot St Lawrence old church in Hertfordshire is a picturesque ruin, in the village of the same name, due to the strong dislike of the local squire. Sir Lionel Lyde hated the old building, which was visible from his home, and had it replaced in the late 18th century by a Greek revivalist church on the other side of his manor house. The old church was partly torn down for building materials and was partly ruined for 'romantic effect' in the early 19th century - this process only ending in 1999 when the Ames family donated the graveyard to the Ayot Old Church Preservation Trust. Since then the trust has used English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve the ruins and open the grounds. The old church dates from around 1150AD and was originally a nave and short chancel only. It was remodelled in Early English style in the mid-13th century and a small north aisle was added. A north chapel was added in the early 14th century and the chapel was extended. In turn the former north aisle wall was moved further north and continued the line of the north chapel's wall in the early 15th century. The present tower was finally added over the north aisle about 75 years later, probably in the late 15th or very early 16th century.
Infrared Church
720nm false colour
Ayot St Lawrence old church in Hertfordshire is a picturesque ruin, in the village of the same name, due to the strong dislike of the local squire. Sir Lionel Lyde hated the old building, which was visible from his home, and had it replaced in the late 18th century by a Greek revivalist church on the other side of his manor house. The old church was partly torn down for building materials and was partly ruined for 'romantic effect' in the early 19th century - this process only ending in 1999 when the Ames family donated the graveyard to the Ayot Old Church Preservation Trust. Since then the trust has used English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve the ruins and open the grounds. The old church dates from around 1150AD and was originally a nave and short chancel only. It was remodelled in Early English style in the mid-13th century and a small north aisle was added. A north chapel was added in the early 14th century and the chapel was extended. In turn the former north aisle wall was moved further north and continued the line of the north chapel's wall in the early 15th century. The present tower was finally added over the north aisle about 75 years later, probably in the late 15th or very early 16th century.