English Heritage sites near Upavon Parish
NETHERAVON DOVECOTE
4 miles from Upavon Parish
Charming and elegant 18th century brick dovecote, still with most of its 700 or more nesting boxes intact. Set in peaceful surroundings. External viewing only.
HATFIELD EARTHWORKS (MARDEN HENGE)
4 miles from Upavon Parish
The earthworks of a Neolithic henge and monumental mound, by a loop in the River Avon. Recent archaeological find of building equivalent to a priest’s quarters.
WOODHENGE
7 miles from Upavon Parish
Dating from about 2500 BC, markers now replace rings of timber posts, which once possibly supported a ring-shaped building. Discovered in 1925 when rings of dark spots were noticed in a crop of wheat.
STONEHENGE
7 miles from Upavon Parish
Walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
LUDGERSHALL CASTLE AND CROSS
9 miles from Upavon Parish
The ruins and earthworks of a royal castle dating mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, frequently used as a hunting lodge. The remains of the medieval cross stand in the centre of the village.
WEST KENNET LONG BARROW, AVEBURY
9 miles from Upavon Parish
One of the largest and most impressive Neolithic chambered tombs in Britain. Built in around 3650 BC and used for a short time only, nearly 50 people were buried here before the chambers were blocked.
Churches in Upavon Parish
Upavon: St Mary the Virgin
Vicarage Lane
Upavon
Salisbury
01672562221
http://valeofpewsey.org
Norman Features - Part of the Chancel walls. The buttresses and bricked-up windows at the east end are part of the original building. Also the bricked-up priests' door in the north wall of the Chancel and the window in the north wall of the sanctuary. Chancel Arch(see below). Bowl of Font (on 19th Century base.)
Chancel - Walls basically Norman. Note Priests' door and rounded window on north side. 13th Century Piscina (for washing communion vessels) in south wall. Walls partly rebuilt in 15th Century with east and south windows replacing earlier ones. Sedalia (seat for clergy) under south window date from this period. 17th Century carved altar table. 19th Century stained glass and tiled floor.
Chancel Arch - The stonework, with its zig-zag tracery, is original late Norman. Some believe it is the original shape, although the usual Norman arch is round. Others suggest that the original round arch was rebuilt in its present form in the 15th Century. The present triple arch is unusual. The two side arches extend beyond the inside line of the Chancel walls on the Nave side, becoming pointed arches of half width on the Chancel face.
Nave - North and south arcades, built in the early 13th Century, do not match. The easternmost arch of the north arcade seems to have been formed later by cutting through a solid wall. The arcades were followed by the original north and south aisles and main part of the tower. Floor tiles possibly 15th Century. Roof 19th Century.
Aisles - South aisle later demolished, arches built in and windows added. Present north aisle is a restoration using the old foundations. The long connection with the RAF may be seen from the memorial tablets.
Porch - Rebuilt at some time, but arch original 13th Century.
Font - Norman bowl on 19th Century base. Octagonal form with the following emblems:
East - Greek cross with impression of a quatrefoil;
South-east - Leaves;
South - Floriated cross;
South-west - Lion and three fleur de lys;
West - Leopard or dragon;
North-west - Geometrical pattern;
North - The Annunciation, The Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel with a lily (symbol of The Virgin) in a vase between;
North-east - Leaves.
Pubs in Upavon Parish
Antelope
3 High Street, Upavon, SN9 6EA
(01980) 630025
antelopeupavon.co.uk/
Ship
10 High Street, Upavon, SN9 6EA
(01980) 630313
theshipatupavon.co.uk