INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Churches of Wayland. Man's attempt to provide a fitting edifice to the Glory of God and to serve the spiritual needs of the community has resulted in some beautiful buildings with unusual features. The people and events around them, through the ages, have shaped the churches you see today. Each of our churches is surrounded by attractive countryside, where farming is still the primary industry. Frequently under threat, the churches continue to serve the small communities whose forebears built them and worshipped in them.

The wealth of beautiful flint churches, and the history behind them, is one of the strengths of our area. The churches date from Pre-conquest through to Late Medieval and include a collegiate church, one linked to a Commanderie of the Knights Hospitallers and another rescued from a ruinous state that contains wall paintings of international importance.

The information in this section comes from a project led by The Wayland Partnership that produced, with the help of the local community, a guide book and an audio guide for independent unescorted tours. Alternatively Group Tours led by local guides can be arranged with the Wayland Partnership. On this site you can listen to the audio guides and even download them to your own MP3 player for use as you explore the rich heritage of our churches. I strongly suggest obtaining a copy of the book “Unlocking our Histories . . . The Churches of Wayland” to take with you. For full details please contact The Wayland Partnership by email to contact@wayland.org.uk or by ringing 01953 883915.

Now, select your church from the pages under this section, press play, sit back with your eyes closed and enjoy a virtual tour of the Wayland Churches or if you have downloaded it, take your MP3 player and enjoy a truly enhanced tour of any or all of our Wayland Churches, courtesy of the Wayland Church Tours Project.