where's the best, oldest church to visit in the uk?

Answer 1

Most, if not all, of the very old churches in Britain have been rebuilt, modified, etc. Most didn't see very happy times, either, during Cromwell's years.

The oldest church is probably St. Pancras, in London, although it is not in its original condition, of course.
http://www.victorianweb.org/victorian/art/architecture/london/77.html

St. Martin's Church, in Canterbury, is Britain's longest used parish church and is a lot closer to its original condition.
http://www.digiserve.com/peter/st-mtns.htm

Answer 2

Bradwell

Oldest church in England

Here, we are on the edge of the world. The land is flat, the wind races over the Essex fields and the marshes echo with haunting bird cries. A long stretch of Roman road leads east from the village, becomes a track and then a path. At the end of this path, where the sea meets the sky, is the oldest church in England. St Peter's Chapel, Bradwell-on-Sea, was built to mark the spot where St Cedd landed in 654, on his mission from Lindisfarne to lighten the Dark Ages of the heathen East Angles.

Using bricks and stone from the ruined Roman fort of Othona, the Saxons created what was almost a cathedral, 50 ft (15.2m) long, 22 ft (6.7m) wide and 25 ft (7.6m) high. The people of Essex worshipped here for 600 years or more, but, so remote was this spot, that congregations soon dwindled and the chapel eventually passed out of knowledge, which is probably how it has survived. In 1920, a passing rambler noticed the noble proportions. He started to excavate and soon realised that he was looking at sacred ground. So St Peter's Chapel was restored as a place for peace and reflection. It is still a long way away from the rest of the world, but well worth the pilgrimage

Answer 3

Here's what I found:

Oldest church in England

"Here, we are on the edge of the world. The land is flat, the wind races over the Essex fields and the marshes echo with haunting bird cries. A long stretch of Roman road leads east from the village, becomes a track and then a path. At the end of this path, where the sea meets the sky, is the oldest church in England. St Peter's Chapel, Bradwell-on-Sea, was built to mark the spot where St Cedd landed in 654, on his mission from Lindisfarne to lighten the Dark Ages of the heathen East Angles.

Using bricks and stone from the ruined Roman fort of Othona, the Saxons created what was almost a cathedral, 50 ft (15.2m) long, 22 ft (6.7m) wide and 25 ft (7.6m) high. The people of Essex worshipped here for 600 years or more, but, so remote was this spot, that congregations soon dwindled and the chapel eventually passed out of knowledge, which is probably how it has survived. In 1920, a passing rambler noticed the noble proportions. He started to excavate and soon realised that he was looking at sacred ground. So St Peter's Chapel was restored as a place for peace and reflection. It is still a long way away from the rest of the world, but well worth the pilgrimage."

http://travel.independent.co.uk/uk/article8412.ece

Answer 4

When St. Augustine landed in England in 597 A.D., King Aethelbert gave him St. Martin's Church in Canterbury, which was probably a Roman church which Augustine restored, to worship before he founded a church where Canterbury Cathedral now stands. A substantial amount of the Roman building is still visible at St. Martin's, particularly in the wall on the South side of the choir. So St. Martin's is not only the oldest church in England but the actual first following the reintroduction of Christianity here.

St. Martins is a pretty church on a hill about a mile from Canterbury Cathedral, although sadly its surroundings are rather built up. It is well worth visiting although it is not open every day: to save yourself an unnecessary walk check the opening times at the Information Centre opposite the Cathedral once you have got to Canterbury.

Obviously if you visit Canterbury, as I hope you will because it is my home city, you will also wish to visit Canterbury Cathedral as the mother church of the Anglican communion. Of course the cathedral has a huge wealth of historical and architectural material, as well as being a very active place of worship (which is surely the most important thing). The Cathedral and St. Martins church are part of a World Heritage Site along with the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, which was also of great importance for early Christianity in England.

If you are visiting churches in Canterbury, you might also look at St. Dunstans, up the road from the Westgate, where the head of Sir Thomas More, the English Lord Chancellor who was author of "Utopia" is buried.

Happy visiting.

Answer 5

There's a book called the Good Church Guide. Other than that, don't know which church in the whole of Great Britain is the oldest, or the best to visit (on what basis? architecture? historical association?) but I love Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, and Norwich Cathedral. I don't recommend Ripon Cathedral which follows you round trying to pinch your wallet the whole time you're there, nor Canterbury Cathedral which looks like two buildings cut and shut together - half ancient, mellow and beautiful, the other half brash, unabashed, 20th century and tacky. Same goes for Chelmsford Cathedral. Very 1960s.

Answer 6

In West Sussex. Its an ancient chapel/church attached to an old manor farm, the farm name used to be Botolphs Farm(not sure if it still is) but the village name is Botolphs. It lies between Shoreham and Upper Beeding on a very minor country road. It is definitely the oldest and most moving church/chapel I have ever known.

Answer 7

Undoubtedly Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. It still stands, alone in a small town not surrendered to huge numbers of tourists. The whole area is still deeply atmospheric of ancient England and one can almost uniquely sense antiquity just by being near that great cathedral. It's a Gothic church that goes back a very long way and a site of Christian worship almost back to Saxon times.

Answer 8

St bartholamu's (spelling of ?) in london is the oldest church in britain. Four weddings and a funeral filmed there and i also had my Worshipful company of Farriers passing out ceremony there and this info was mentioned then

Answer 9

Greenstead church in kelvedon in essex is the oldest church in britain. hope that helps!

Answer 10

I think I'd go to Westminster Abbey. It may not be the oldest, but I think I'd like it best.