On an extremely hot day in July two minibuses with The Friends of Romsey Abbey went to the historic and delightful St Nicholas’ Church, in Brockenhurst. The church is one of the oldest churches in the New Forest and one of only two churches in the area mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Christian worship is thought to have taken place on the site since at least the 8th century, making it a place of more than 1,200 years of history. It sits in a peaceful setting on Church Lane just outside the centre of Brockenhurst. Parts of the building date from Saxon and Norman times with later medieval and Victorian additions.
The beautifully maintained churchyard contains over 100 Commonwealth War Graves, most of them New Zealand soldiers who died after being treated at the nearby NO1 New Zealand hospital during the First World War. Some of Brockenhurst’s hotels and larger building were taken over by medics and nurses from New Zealand who treated 21,000 soldiers. The church features many stunning stained glass windows, including a commemorative window, which tells the story of Brockenhurst’s important wartime role. A place well worth a visit.
After the opportunity to explore the architecture of the Church and the grounds, including seeing a magnificent 1000-year-old Great Yew Tree, the group drove to the other Brockenhurst Church of St Saviour’s. This was equally impressive, although younger, having started construction in 1895 and finally completed in 1961. The building is Gade II listed and recognized for its architectural and historic importance. We were hospitably welcomed by the Mothers’ Union, who provided a delicious cream tea enjoyed by all. Well worth a visit to both churches, St Nicholas for its Saxon and Norman history and St Saviour’s for its impressive Victorian Gothic architecture.
Galleries
