The name Brampton Abbots reveals two things about the small settlement near Ross on Wye. Firstly, it was noted for the broom that grew in the area, and secondly the church was owned by the abbots of Gloucester. In fact it was gifted to them by William I shortly after the conquest. It's likely that the nave and chancel that we see today, with it Norman rounded arches, dates from those years. The church is a lovely, modest building that has recently been sensitively restored. The wood shingle tower is supported by a timber structure within the west of the nave. Both roofs have been repaired with, it looks like, many of the original stone tiles. The fourteenth century south porch retains many of its original timbers, a tribute to the durability of oak when it is carefully used. The fine Victorian gate seen in the photograph opens on to a field with a footpath through it, indicating that many of the congregation came to the building across the fields rather than from the nearer dwellings whose inhabitants would have entered through the lych gate.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
