Sanctuary

St Mary's Church, Swainswick

Innox Lane Upper Swainswick BA1 8DB

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St Mary's Church, Swainswick

Beautiful 12th Century Church offering basic facilities to the British Pilgrimage Trust's Giving Pilgrims

Swainswick church is beautifully positioned in the Lam Valley just outside Bath and on the edge of the Cotswolds.   Built in the 12th century and still used every Sunday, it’s one of those ‘thin’ places steeped in history and holiness.   Hospitality and inclusivity are our watchwords and we love to welcome walkers, visitors and pilgrims. The church is a short detour off-route for the St Aldhelm Way or Aqua Sulis Way, but at only 3 miles from Bath Abbey is within easy reach by taxi from the city centre. Other routes pass nearby, including local routes set up by the church.

The toilet is outdoor with cold water; a kitchen area in the church offers hot water, sink, kettle, tea/coffee, basic crockery & cutlery but no cooking facilities. The shops and pub are about a mile away. Most of the pews have been removed so there is plenty of floor space. The floor area is mostly stone but there are three wooden box pews and a small carpeted area (space for 2) in the north chapel.   Also a number of thin yoga-type mats.

Please be aware that there are a number of activities that take place in the church which may affect access, please see restrictions below.

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Amenities

Toilet
Hand basin
Electric power point
Kitchen facilities
Lighting
Food available nearby

Key facts

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Recommended donation:

£10 per pilgrim

Capacity:

15 pilgrims maximum

Season:

All year round

Notice, arrival and departure times

Minimum 3 days notice required. Pilgrims can arrive and depart at any time (subject to availability) although departure still has to be by 8.30am on Fridays in term time.

Restrictions:

There are a number of regular activities in the church which may affect access. Sunday services: usually at 10am, sometimes afternoon. Check website for details. Thursdays 7.30-8.30: Bellringing practice Fridays 9am – 11am: School Collective worship. (term time only) • First Friday of the month: Pub Swainswick 6.30-9.30pm. Pilgrims are very welcome to join in with most of these other than the School Collective Worship for which the building needs to be vacated. If pilgrims want to stay longer than one night, backpacks etc. can be locked in the vestry. The maximum stay is 2 nights.There may be occasional days when the church is not available.

Location

Nearby routes

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Become a Pilgrim to reveal contact details

Contact details are available for Giving Pilgrims

Contact details are available only for the Giving Pilgrims

Organiser:

St Mary's Church

Organiser:

St Mary's Church

swainswickchurch@gmail.com
07582 019359

Britain’s Pilgrim Places

Find this place, and hundreds of others, in Britain’s Pilgrim Places book by Nick Mayhew-Smith and Guy Hayward.

Proceeds from sale of the book directly support the British Pilgrimage Trust, a non-profit UK charity. Thank you.

Discover local food

We know that pilgrims get hungry!

Once you have decided on which pilgrimage route you want to walk, we thought you might like to use our Local Food Map.

Learn more

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Tom Jones

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

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Sanctuary

St Mary's Church, Swainswick

Innox Lane Upper Swainswick BA1 8DB

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