St Martins Church
St Martins Church
4.5
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11 reviews
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Mike
Hayes, UK557 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
St Martins is all that remains of a large estate and vanished country house, apart from some Tudor period red brick walls one will spot in the vicinity, and bounding the churchyard. The gatehouse construction to the left of the church is a Victorian replica of the original. St Martins has one or two remnants from the mid-Medieval period notably a beautiful baptismal font and a recess to the right of the new entrance. The church is very unusual in its having been reversed east-west sometime in the late 20C, apparently to improve access & views of the altar area. The immaculately tended church yard is usually open and features the ancient brick boundary walls. Views from the tower with its still-functioning 19C clock can be arranged, the site having a commanding position over the low-rise 1930s developments around.
Situated at the end of a mile-long straight path through the expansive Closes common, St Martins was once linked perfectly directly by footpath with Harmondsworth parish church, and over the now airport onto Staines to the South. Walking around this out of the way precinct reminds oneself of the ancient village origins of an area now dominated by new housing around the soon to be Victoria Line station. The church once overlooked clay pits in the Closes, and brick-making huts, and served as the private chapel to the De Burgh dynasty. As well as wildlife like Kites overhead, jet traffic can be viewed from the Closes to the South noiselessly sailing up skywards. This region, lateral to the Heathrow runways and flight paths, is remarkably free of aircraft noise despite being so near. A detour to this neighbourhood is like stepping back in time some hundreds of years. Its a miracle it's survived the modern era and well worth a view.
Situated at the end of a mile-long straight path through the expansive Closes common, St Martins was once linked perfectly directly by footpath with Harmondsworth parish church, and over the now airport onto Staines to the South. Walking around this out of the way precinct reminds oneself of the ancient village origins of an area now dominated by new housing around the soon to be Victoria Line station. The church once overlooked clay pits in the Closes, and brick-making huts, and served as the private chapel to the De Burgh dynasty. As well as wildlife like Kites overhead, jet traffic can be viewed from the Closes to the South noiselessly sailing up skywards. This region, lateral to the Heathrow runways and flight paths, is remarkably free of aircraft noise despite being so near. A detour to this neighbourhood is like stepping back in time some hundreds of years. Its a miracle it's survived the modern era and well worth a view.
Written January 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay
West Drayton, UK27 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Historic Old Church with gated grounds that are locked out of hours and set away from main road. Lady vicar who is friendly and approachable and a congregation of locals that can be initially a bit stand off ish but are a good bunch once you get to know them! They invite the local schools in on certain days and have coffee mornings to get people in, as well as a hall that is used by local groups that are unconnected to church, Zumba and martial arts spring to mind- on separate days though! Also a parent/ pre school group on a Thursday morning.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanja N
West Drayton, UK5 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
St. Martins Church is where my family has celebrated weddings, births, and funerals for generations. I visit this lovely picturesque church when ever I come home to the U.K. If you enjoy beauty and history then do visit.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin D
West Drayton, UK866 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
A very pretty church, indeed one that is very very local to where I live.
Small and picturesque with flint walls surrounded by parts of the remaining grave yard. A nice tower that can be seen from some distance. All linked to the De Burgh family from years ago with a nice stained glass window. Inside is just as pretty and interesting as the outside.
I would not say that it is perhaps worth a long journey just to see it, but if you are in the area then it really is worth popping in for a while to have a look around. Even the gate house outside and the remains of the various manor walls add to the villagey type feel of the area.
Small and picturesque with flint walls surrounded by parts of the remaining grave yard. A nice tower that can be seen from some distance. All linked to the De Burgh family from years ago with a nice stained glass window. Inside is just as pretty and interesting as the outside.
I would not say that it is perhaps worth a long journey just to see it, but if you are in the area then it really is worth popping in for a while to have a look around. Even the gate house outside and the remains of the various manor walls add to the villagey type feel of the area.
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan W
Portland, OR1,930 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
I loved walking through the neighborhoods of West Drayton to see this lovely historic old church. I found it to be so very different from the large gothic and ancient cathedrals I'd explored for the previous several weeks in The Netherlands, Belgium and France. The architecture is very different as are the materials used for construction; you can sense that this is a church for the ages. The grounds are lovely, the cemetery unique and the accompanying gatehouse is also an interesting building. I must return to see the inside. While peeking through the doors and clear windows, I could see just how beautiful and unusual the stalned glass windows are. In fact, I truly wish to be able to attend services there!
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lundylupin
West Drayton, UK35 contributions
Apr 2019
The churchyard is lovely and peaceful and the church itself is mainly 15th Century. The church is not always open to visitors so check on their website to find the next Open Event. It has some lovely stained glass windows and a very old font.
Written April 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PHILIP L
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK115 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Called in after a day in the city, a quiet place to reflect and think in the qui of the chapel. Recommended.
Written May 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simone B
Enschede, The Netherlands79 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
It is in a nice area, that is a lot to say in Westdrayton, the garden around the church is beautiful. It is a good place for a walk in one of the rare UK sunny day
Written August 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margi Education... M
2 contributions
Apr 2023
Amazing , beautiful , a place to have relief and happiness ; i love the churches and the History ; a reason to travel and visit the UK
Written April 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liar f
Worthington, MN38 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
We visited st Martin's in September, unfortunately it was closed but still was quite interesting to walk
about and enjoy the peace sitting in the interior court yard.
about and enjoy the peace sitting in the interior court yard.
Written February 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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