English Heritage sites near Inkpen Parish
CHISBURY CHAPEL
5 miles from Inkpen Parish
This pretty thatched and flintwalled 13th century chapel survived after the Reformation in 1547 by being used as a barn as part of Chisbury Farm.
DONNINGTON CASTLE
7 miles from Inkpen Parish
The striking twin-towered 14th-century gatehouse of this castle, later the focus of a Civil War siege and battle, survives amid impressive earthworks.
LUDGERSHALL CASTLE AND CROSS
10 miles from Inkpen Parish
The ruins and earthworks of a royal castle dating mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, frequently used as a hunting lodge. The remains of the medieval cross stand in the centre of the village.
WAYLAND'S SMITHY
14 miles from Inkpen Parish
A fine and atmospheric Neolithic chambered long barrow 2km (11/4 miles) along the Ridgeway from the Uffington White Horse: it was once believed to be the habitation of the Saxon smith-god Wayland.
UFFINGTON CASTLE - WHITE HORSE AND DRAGON HILL
14 miles from Inkpen Parish
Three atmospheric sites lie along the Ridgeway. Uffington 'Castle' is a large Iron Age hillfort, Dragon Hill a natural mound associated in legend with St George.
THE SANCTUARY, AVEBURY
15 miles from Inkpen Parish
Begun in about 3000 BC as a complex circle of timber posts, later replaced by stones. Its function is still mystifies: human bone finds with food remains point to elaborate death rites and ceremonies.
Churches in Inkpen Parish
St Michael and All Angels, Inkpen
Spray Road
Inkpen
Hungerford
http://www.walburybeaconbenefice.org.uk
CHURCHES IN THE UNITED BENEFICE OF WEST WOODHAY WITH ENBORNE, HAMSTEAD MARSHALL, INKPEN, COMBE, AND KINTBURY WITH AVINGTON
(The West Berks Cluster)
The United Benefice was formed in 1981, the Rector being the Revd Richard Jeans. In 1994 the living of the Benefice of Kintbury with Avington, was suspended and in 2006, the two parishes were added to the United Benefice of West Woodhay and formed the West Berks Cluster under the Team Rector, the Revd Julie Ramsbottom.
We are all rural parishes facing the pressures that all rural parishes endure. However, the Christian faith is strong and our churches stand as visible expressions of our faith.
Each church is set in beautiful surroundings, is a place of prayer and spiritual refreshment and holder of many valuable historical memories and monuments.
ST. MICHAEL, INKPEN
The present church was erected in the thirteenth century and dedicated in 1316, at the same time as Enborne. In the early 1700s the then Rector threw out a late 13th century effigy of a knight, probably a crusader as it had crossed legs and a half drawn sword. This was rescued from a farmyard and in the 1896 restoration placed in the chancel on a Templer coffin lid.
Inkpen is praised as one of the few Victorian restorations that enhanced the church. Furnished in Anglo-Catholic/ Arts and Crafts style with a rood screen (carved locally), a new arcade and north wall were added, plus a new porch. During the restoration, traces of medieval paintings were found but too decayed to restore. New paintings by Ethel King Martin were commissioned.
The beautiful carved modern font cover, 'in praise of water' was made in 1972. There are six bells, the oldest dates from 1590. The latest two were added for the Millennium.
Pubs in Inkpen Parish
Crown & Garter
Inkpen Common, Inkpen, RG17 9QR
(01488) 668325
crownandgarter.co.uk/
Swan Inn
Craven Road, Inkpen, RG17 9DX
(01488) 668326
theswaninn-organics.co.uk