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St Mary’s Church – Marshwood Vale loop from Lyme Regis

St Mary’s Church – Marshwood Vale loop from Lyme Regis

Moderate

5.0

(1)

riders

St Mary’s Church – Marshwood Vale loop from Lyme Regis

01:35

29.2km

440m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 7.78 km for 128 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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7.83 km

The Church of St Candida and Holy Cross

Highlight • Religious Site

The earliest parts of the church date from the 12th century when it was rebuilt by Benedictine monks. Further major rebuilding work took place in the 13th century and in the 14th century the church's prominent tower was constructed

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15.1 km

St Mary’s Church

Highlight • Religious Site

If you’re visiting St Mary's Church in Marshwood, you’re stepping into a Victorian "reboot" of a much older story. While it looks like a classic 19th-century country church, its history is a bit of a survivor's tale, involving ruins, 2,000-person parties, and birds hidden in the stone.
Opening Times
The church is part of the Golden Cap Team of Churches and is generally open every day for visitors (typically from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM).

Sunday Best: Services are usually held at 11:00 AM, but check the local noticeboard in the porch—it's the village's "analog social media" and always has the most up-to-date timings.

School Days: The church has a very cool partnership with the adjacent primary school. Don't be surprised if you see kids using the building as a classroom or hall!

The "New" Old Church
The original medieval chapel was closer to Marshwood Castle but became a ruin by the 1600s. The current building was a 19th-century "do-over":

The Party of 1840: When they laid the foundation stone for the new tower in 1840, about 2,000 people turned up to watch. That’s a massive crowd for a tiny village—it must have been the Iron Age equivalent of a stadium concert!

The "Pecking Birds": Keep a sharp eye on the stone pillars inside. The capitals (the tops of the pillars) are carved with "stiff-leaf" foliage and tiny birds pecking at the leaves. It’s like a Victorian version of Where's Waldo.

A Bargain Rebuild: Most of the church was rebuilt in 1884 for just £900. While that sounds cheap now, back then it was a huge community effort led by the local Reverend.

Why it’s Worth a Peek
Aside from the bird-spotting, the church offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with great views over the Marshwood Vale. It’s constructed from local rubble walls with ashlar dressings, giving it a rugged, "honest" look that perfectly matches the surrounding Dorset hills.

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