St Swithun Hinton Parva

 

St Swithun Hinton Parva  was the forth of the churches I visited on my tour around the Swindon area, up to now the churches had been mixed in their looks. Hinton Parva was only a few miles from the last church and on my route back towards Swindon. I had mapped out a loop from the first I was meant to visit and failed but was now back on course. I was unsure what to expect but was very pleased when I walked though the gate and saw the church. As it was it turned out to be a gem and the best of the visits that day in my opinion. Little history on Wikipedia but the parish council has again opted to link in British History online click on the link to read more. It is Norman and grade 1 listed.

Took this shot over to the left inside the churchyard

From the main gate

Another closer view from the churchyard

This is the view from the roadside of the west end

Around the north side

The chancel end with old headstones leaning against the walls, no doubt the family tomb was place as near to the east end as possible because of the wall and no access around that part

While walking around I heard a buzzing noise which came from around here

Bees were buzzing around the roof here you can see some of them flying around

and while Looking around the inside of the church I spotted a few more bees and hear a buzzing coming from the tower, you can see a dark area on the wall

More bees swarming around. I did phone the vicar so hope she  sorted them out

These graves are near the west end wall

Tomb still with inscription on it

 The south side of the church are where I started hearing buzzing bees around

North side churchyard with older headstones

Under the yew tree some nice looking old chest tombs, three looking like they could be the same family members

Door in the porch leading to the church

Inside looking down the nave

From midway along the aisle

The chancel

Altar and east window

The stained glass being rather shame I did not get the colouring better

Pulpit and clerks desk look Jacobean from the carving

Another view of the pulpit showing the carving on it

Looking down from the pulpit

South aisle

Another shot showing the doors on the pews

The altar has the Roll of Honour for the village

It does look long but the lower one shows all who served their country

The north aisle

Now there are some beautiful stained glass single windows the centre one being at the end of the north aisle

Also a few interesting memorials to see and a bequest on show

There are tombs in the floor as well the older one being 1653 and the other I came across by lifting the carpet

Royal coat of arms, the date making it George III

View of the pews with the doors closed along the aisle

Noticed this on the was in a beautifully restored cart for carrying coffins

The font looked really interesting with the carvings

It looks Saxon but could be Norman

I liked how the light shone through the window here

I will leave you this week with a photo of an old Bible with the nave in the background.

Till next time I wish you all a peaceful weekend