East Knoyle is known for its connection with Sir Christopher Wren, who was born in a cottage in the village in 1632.
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
His father (also called Christopher) was Rector of the 13th century church, and would have known the battlemented tower which dates from about 1450. Dr Wren commissioned the ornate pictorial plasterwork in the chancel, only to have it used as evidence against him at his trial during the Civil War, the Puritans considereding it idolatrous. He lost his living but, remarkably, the plasterwork has survived.
More recent additions to the church include a 20th century window by architect and artist Sir Ninian Comper, and a recent window that commemorates the millennium.
Donhead St Andrew, Dorset
Situated in the valley beside the river Nadder, there has been a church here serving as a centre for Christian worship for at least a thousand years and it is believed that the first church may have been built soon after the founding of Shaftesbury Abbey in about 875.
Tisbury, Wiltshire
St John the Baptist is in the centre of the Wiltshire village of Tisbury, fifteen miles west of the cathedral city of Salisbury.
Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
Tucked away on opposite sides of the Nadder valley, the Donhead parishes once made up an estate that belonged to Shaftesbury Abbey.
