LITTLE STUKELEY. CHURCH : ST MARTIN

Middle of Autumn, and not a cloud in the sky. The most beautiful of days, and a joy to be out. Just look at that sky! It nearly didn't happen though as I left Peterborough in dense fog and it did not clear until I was two or three miles from my first destination, the church of St Martin at Little Stukeley.

  Gorgeous little village, with the lovely old houses grouped around the church. Nice welcome from a couple of locals, who seemed interested in what I was doing. Less welcoming was the rather terse sign in the porch which said that ALL VISITORS TO THE CHURCH MUST BE ACCOMPANIED! Nice to be trusted, but a sign of the times I fear! The church itself was set on high ground, nestling behind trees, a quite glorious setting, especially as the village is just three miles or so from bustling Huntingdon.

  Needless to say, the church was locked, satting the pattern for the day. Some glorious gargoyles and grotesques to be found here. Was particularly fond of a dog with one head and two bodies....and a wizened old man with sightless eyes crawling out of a wall.

  I made the short walk to neighbouring Great Stukeley. St Barthlomew's was also locked. Very nicely maintained grounds with the church tower, despite not being all that large, dominating the landscape. The thatched cottage adlacent to the church grounds pictured bottom right looked to have come off of a chocolate box. Interested to see a stone, with carved letters, inset in to the porch. Not sure what this is...any ideas then please get in touch.