An Iconic Landmark in a Historic Landscape under Threat

Thundridge Old Church, a grade II* listed tower from a Saxon church, in a deeply historic area of Hertfordshire and iconic landmark in a green area of great beauty, is under threat of demolition.

Without a change in ownership and the support of the community it could be lost forever. 

Thundridge Old Church Action Group (TOCAG) are fighting to save the Church for current and future generations. Learn about Our Plans and What you can do to help 

What is special about this place?

  • The Grade II* listed tower of St. Mary and All Saints’ Church is a preeminent cultural and historic keystone building in the history of the local area. 
  • It is the last visible evidence of continuous occupation of a now remote location in the Rib Valley for over 1,000 years within a landscape that has remarkably not been disturbed or archeologically investigated and has rich historic significance and evidential potential. 
  • It is a direct link to and evokes and illustrates significant local historic events and individual histories such as the establishment of the first Turnpike and inspiration for the abolition of slavery movement. It is an iconic eye catcher feature and ‘borrowed view’ from the Capability Brown designed landscape park of Youngsbury. 
  • It is a flagship destination within the Rib Valley as a green space for the physical, mental, and spiritual good health of the local community and special interest groups from far afield, ever more important after the planned substantial development to the North of Ware.

See more about this significance of this site and the local area here 

A Brief History

  • The church is of Saxon origin, with Norman features and alterations in C14 and again in C15 when the three stage West tower was added. 
  • The churchyard is located in a Medieval moated enclosure unusual both in its size and for the range of features within including a manorial complex including the remains of C16 Thundridgebury House demolished in 1811. 
  • A new church was built in the centre of Thundridge and Wadesmill in 1851, and the nave and chancel of the old church demolished in 1853, leaving the tower including C12 doorway with chevron and dogtooth moulded arch and C14 window set in blocking of tower arch.
  • Some of graves are thought likely to date to the Medieval period, with further Medieval deposits preserved in the intervening areas. 

See more about the history of the church here 

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Where is Thundridge Old Church?

See more about visiting the church, including a recommended circular walk with refreshment stops here