Tour of St Mary's Old Basing and Lychpit
St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 7DJ
St Mary's Church, a Grade I listed building, will be open for visits and tours will also be available. The church has a fascinating history dating back to just after the Norman invasion. It was much rebuilt in the Medieval and Tudor period and there are some wonderful monuments to the Paulet family, later the Marquises of Winchester and Dukes of Bolton, who were very prominent in running England.
During the Civil War, the Church was taken over by Parliamentary forces who used it as stables during the three sieges of nearby Basing House (also open to the public). Following the Civil War the church was restored by public subscription.
The church was reordered in the early Victorian Period and has been maintained since with two modern stained glass windows, and remains in active use.
There will also be the opportunity for tours of the Church Tower (fee payable and booking essential due to limited capacity).
St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 7DJ
Access from The Street (from the west) is via a steep slope, but flatter access can be achieved from Church Lane to the east.