St Bartholomew

St Bartholomew's is a fine and much loved church, full of interest and particularly famous for its monuments.

Much Marcle, Herefordshire

Opening times

The church is normally open from 9am until dusk.

Address

Much Marcle
Herefordshire
HR8 2PL

One of the best monuments is from the 14th century and is thought to be of Sir Hugh Audley and his wife Isolde. They lie in the Kyrle Chapel, where there are many monuments to the Kyrle family, who have lived at nearby Homme House since 1580. In the north aisle is another famous monument: that of Sir Walter de Helyon. Made of oak, his effigy dates from about 1360. Such wooden effigies are very rare, all the more so in this case since it so well preserved. However, the colours were controversially renewed for an exhibition in 1972.

St Bartholomew's has one of the most celebrated churchyard yews in Britain: it is hollow and has a seat inside it. Despite being hollow and very gnarled it is still growing; this yew is reckoned to be over 1500 years old.

Key features