English Heritage sites near Whaddon Parish
HOUGHTON HOUSE
15 miles from Whaddon Parish
Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
DE GREY MAUSOLEUM, FLITTON
16 miles from Whaddon Parish
Among the largest sepulchral chapels attached to any English church, this cruciform mausoleum houses a remarkable sequence of 17 sculpted and effigied monuments.
WREST PARK
18 miles from Whaddon Parish
Explore the evolution of the English garden and take a stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest Park.
BERKHAMSTED CASTLE
20 miles from Whaddon Parish
Visit the substantial remains of a strong and important motte and bailey castle dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, with surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks.
DEDDINGTON CASTLE
21 miles from Whaddon Parish
Extensive earthworks marking the site of an 11th century motte and bailey castle.
CHICHELE COLLEGE
24 miles from Whaddon Parish
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of a communal residence for priests serving the parish church, founded by locally-born Archbishop Chichele before 1425. Regularly used for events, and art and heritage exhibitions.
Churches in Whaddon Parish
Whaddon: St Mary
Church Lane
Whaddon
Milton Keynes
01280817828
https://www.facebook.com/BlackthornChaseBenefice
Our 12th century church has a proud history, but is also a place of worship for 21st Century Christians.The people of Whaddon built this place for the love of God, and we do our best to keep that love alive.
The church is well supported by our village community. We are friendly and welcoming, with a variety of services each month - come to whatever suits you best! We serve refreshments after most Sunday services, and we have a fun and friendly Coffee Shop on the first Saturday of the month between 10-12. There is Toddler Church on term-time Thursdays.
You are always welcome at any of our Services. For details, go to www.buckinghambenefice.org.uk and click on Whaddon in the list of benefice churches.
Whaddon is an old Celtic word meaning “Wheat Hill”. The church is built at the top of the hill, and the original chancel and nave were completed early in the 12th century. The nave pillars still remain. One capital decoration shows the curious design of two peacocks quarrelling over a piece of bread. A duplicate of this design has been found in a church in Normandy – it is possible that the same Norman workman carved them both!
The stone font was carved in the 13th century, but the wooden cover with its beautiful carved dove is from the 20th century.
The Lady Chapel contains two Tudor tombs. One tomb is for a “Serjant-at-law” and his family, while the other is the tomb of a Lord Deputy of Ireland for Queen Elizabeth I who was one of the Commissioners responsible for trying Mary Queen of Scots.
We are particularly proud of our stained glass windows at Whaddon. The well known Victorian artist, Kemp, made the east window. His signature peacock feathers can be seen in the angels’ wings. The signed west window is by J. Bell & Son of Bristol. There are fragments of mediaeval stained glass in the east window behind the organ.
The Tower contains a ring of 6 bells together with a small Sanctus bell. Whaddon is fortunate to have a strong team of ringers. The bells are currently rung for all the major Christian Festivals as well as two Sundays a month and for local weddings. Practices are held on Tuesday evenings and the team are happy to include volunteers of any ability.
In the 21st century, we have re-sited the rear pews, repaired the floor and bought moveable (and more comfortable) chairs to create flexible arrangements - e.g. for baptisms round the font, Toddler Church, Christmas services, etc. New kneelers have been stitched by local ladies. A lovely wood and glass screen has been installed to stop the draughts from the tower, and our heating has been updated.