Little Malvern Priory
What is now officially the parish church of St Giles of a tiny settlement in the Malvern Hills will always be more popularly known by its original status as Little Malvern Priory. What survives is the (formerly) central tower and chancel of the once cruciform priory church that must have been a splendid sight in its heyday, perched partway up the hillside at the southern end of the Malverns, one of the most picturesque settings of any church I've seen.
Even in its truncated state the church is a magnificent sight, in addition to the complete loss of the nave and transepts its tower is shorn of pinnacles and the chancel missing its flanking chapels (ruined elements remain of these) but there is still a grandeur to the building and not all its glory has departed. The tower is especially attractive, its upper storey with panelled decoration in the Perpendicular style and the large east window also testifies to 15th century rebuilding. Much of the exterior however is difficult to access owing to adjoining private land so can only be enjoyed from a neighbouring field. Entry is from the north, the one accessible side.
Inside the tower and chancel form one tall and narrow space under an almost flat plaster ceiling (covering the original wooden ceiling, the bosses still show through), the eye drawn towards the six-light east window which still contains substantial fragments of its original late 15th century stained glass, including some kneeling portraits of members of the Yorkist Royal Family. There are elements of old woodwork too but of the former tombs in the church only fragments remain.
The church is normally kept open for visitors and I was given an especially warm welcome here by the very hospitable parishoners who were preparing the church for Harvest Festival. Thanks to their kindness I was even given access to the organ loft to enable me to get some better shots of the interior and the historic glass. My thanks to all I met that morning.
I had been wanting to visit this church for many years; its remote hillside position is not an easy destination for a cyclist, but I'm very glad I finally made the effort, it was well worth the wait!
www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/index.php?p...
Little Malvern Priory
What is now officially the parish church of St Giles of a tiny settlement in the Malvern Hills will always be more popularly known by its original status as Little Malvern Priory. What survives is the (formerly) central tower and chancel of the once cruciform priory church that must have been a splendid sight in its heyday, perched partway up the hillside at the southern end of the Malverns, one of the most picturesque settings of any church I've seen.
Even in its truncated state the church is a magnificent sight, in addition to the complete loss of the nave and transepts its tower is shorn of pinnacles and the chancel missing its flanking chapels (ruined elements remain of these) but there is still a grandeur to the building and not all its glory has departed. The tower is especially attractive, its upper storey with panelled decoration in the Perpendicular style and the large east window also testifies to 15th century rebuilding. Much of the exterior however is difficult to access owing to adjoining private land so can only be enjoyed from a neighbouring field. Entry is from the north, the one accessible side.
Inside the tower and chancel form one tall and narrow space under an almost flat plaster ceiling (covering the original wooden ceiling, the bosses still show through), the eye drawn towards the six-light east window which still contains substantial fragments of its original late 15th century stained glass, including some kneeling portraits of members of the Yorkist Royal Family. There are elements of old woodwork too but of the former tombs in the church only fragments remain.
The church is normally kept open for visitors and I was given an especially warm welcome here by the very hospitable parishoners who were preparing the church for Harvest Festival. Thanks to their kindness I was even given access to the organ loft to enable me to get some better shots of the interior and the historic glass. My thanks to all I met that morning.
I had been wanting to visit this church for many years; its remote hillside position is not an easy destination for a cyclist, but I'm very glad I finally made the effort, it was well worth the wait!
www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/index.php?p...