St Andrew's Church Castle Combe

Monks on pilgrimage between Doulting near Glastonbury, where St Aldhelm died on 25 May 709AD, and Malmesbury, where he was buried, passed through Castle Combe. As they can today, refreshments and rest could be found at the Castle Inn opposite St Andrew’s Church by the Market Cross. Aldhelm had joined the Malmesbury community of monks following his education in Canterbury, and founded a Benedictine monastery there. He also founded monasteries in Frome and Bradford-on- Avon and built many local churches. He became first Abbot of Malmesbury , first Bishop of Sherborne and first Saint of Wessex. The historian, William of Malmesbury (1095-1143) recorded that, at a later date, stone crosses had been erected at 7 mile intervals along the funeral procession route between Doulting and Malmesbury where his body had rested. Only fragments of these can now be found at 3 of the church sites; Frome, Colerne and Littleton Drew. The latter two are 7 miles apart and Castle Combe sits between the two.

Timings & Tours

Friday 13 September:

1100-1600

Saturday 14 September:

1100-1600

Location & directions

St Andrew’s Church, Market Place, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7HT

Contact on day:

Karen Munnings

Telephone number:

+447973201706

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Parking in public car park in upper village (Dunns Lane). Lower village parking is very limited and traffic wardens regularly check that parking is only in the few available parking bays.

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