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Behold the timeless beauty of the ancient church of St Llywel, Llanlowell, Monmouthshire! Standing for over a millennium, this architectural marvel boasts a rich history that could move even the most stoic observer. In 2016, when the church was deemed redundant, its features spanning from the Norman to Perpendicular periods, including a 12th-century circular font and a magnificent East Window crafted in 1897 by A.L. Moore, stood as testament to its enduring legacy. Our wonderful former partner charity, Friends of Friendless Churches, has taken a record number of redundant churches into care in recent years, but buildings like St Llywel, which is “only listed Grade II” and is very plain inside, can only survive with a new use. But this must be done with understanding and care. A residential scheme recently referred to us subdivided the interior vertically and horizontally to create a single house. Quite apart from the fact that computer-derived drawings are no way to capture the subtlety and archaeological complexity of a building that is, in origin, nearly a thousand years old, there was no Heritage Impact Assessment nor Design and Access Statement, nor indeed any other paperwork showing any understanding of St Llywel as a listed building. The East Window appears to be taken out. It is something, at least, that the exterior will not be altered. Residential conversion may be the only feasible way forward, but how it is done is all-important. #StLlywels #Church #Llanllowell #ChurchArchitecture #Heritage #Planning #Casework #Wales

Exterior cornice and modillions in progress at our Wheatland Presbyterian Church project. Cast stone sills, keystones, and entryway brick arches up next. #ecclesiasticalarchitecture #churcharchitecture #traditionalarchitecture

Who can resist the charm of a Unicorn? Absolutely no one. So, I had to dig a little deeper and voilà, here’s a delightful slice of history for you. This is one of the heraldic stone commemorating King George V Field, a space once known as Poor’s Piece. This 1.25-acre plot, reserved for the poor, first appeared on maps under this name around 1850. But the story goes back much further. In 1484, William Hobbayne generously bequeathed this land to the parish of St Mary’s to benefit the less fortunate. Back then, the area was primarily agricultural, worked by local settlers, and was known as Tickill on a 1680 map. Nearby discoveries of Saxon graves dating from the 6th century suggest it might have been a Saxon settlement—a fascinating peek into ancient times. Fast forward to the 20th century. After King George V passed away in January 1936, the land was transformed into a recreation ground, officially opened on 22 May 1951. The original King George’s Field was a charming garden with shrubs, wooden railings, paving, tarmac, and plenty of seating. Beyond the garden lay a lawn with a curved path leading to a children’s playground, all surrounded by trees and greenery. The park we see today owes its modern form to extensive remodelling in 2010 and 2012. It’s a space steeped in history yet buzzing with contemporary life—a perfect blend of the old and the new. Have you uncovered any historical gems lately? #London #Unicorn #history #Saxons #KingGeorge #KingGeorgeField #PoorsPiece #Tickhill #greenspace #park #publicspace #diviner #dowser #tealeafreader #oracle #divining #dowsing #tealeafreading

The Wooden Churches of Maramures There is a strong tradition of building wooden churches across Eastern Europe, from Karelia and northern Russia all the way to the Adriatic, but in terms of both quality and quantity the richest examples are in Maramures. The Wooden Churches of Maramures are unique in shape and ornamentation and eight of them – in Barsana, Budesti, Desesti, Ieud, Plopis, Poienile Izei, Rogoz and Surdesti have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The characteristic high roofs and tall, narrow, pointed steeples are often collectively described as the Gothic Style of Maramures. The primary wood material used by the artisans was local oak, which has survived the elements with sturdy elegance until today. The interior walls of the churches were painted by local artists, with biblical scenes often juxtaposed against the familiar landscape of the village. Most of these houses of worship have stood proudly since the 17th and 18th centuries – some even longer. The oldest wooden church in Maramures is the Church on the Hill in Ieud, which dates from 1364.

Wander through the narrow, winding streets of Ostuni and admire the whitewashed buildings, charming alleys, and painted doorways. Read more 👉 Link in comment

As you wander along your local high street, have you ever looked up and seen an ugly-looking critter staring back at you? I’m talking about Gargoyles and Grotesques—stone carvings of often ugly and monstrous creatures that you can usually spot on the sides of historic buildings, particularly Gothic churches and cathedrals. But what are they for? And is there a difference between the two? Well, gargoyles have a practical purpose - they are designed to draw water away from the building. They have water channels and a spout where rainwater is directed so that it doesn't erode the masonry work. They're essentially an ugly drainpipe. Grotesques are merely decorative and have no known practical function other than to look mean and menacing—a bit like Dave from HR before his morning coffee! Gargoyles date back to Egyptian times, when they used lion-shaped carvings. They became popular in the UK during the medieval period and are commonly found on the sides of religious buildings. No one knows why they have twisted, monstrous shapes with ugly expressions, but some suggest they illustrate evil and sin or ward off spirits from places of worship—again, Dave from HR. They make fantastic treasures for kids to spot, and they’re one of the first things I’ll look for when scouting a new treasure map (I spotted the grotesque above on Exeter's incredible Cathedral) Why not head out at lunch and see if you can find any gargoyles or grotesques along your high street (my advice is to start the at local church if there is one)? Let me know what you find - it could be the beginning of our next Treasure Map Trail!  #placemaking #townplanning #history

🏛️ If Walls Could Talk 🏛️ Every building holds a story—a whisper of the past echoing through its walls. From the weathered stones of ancient castles to the intricate facades of historic landmarks, each structure is a time capsule, preserving moments of triumph, resilience, and everyday life. Fun Thought: Next time you pass by an old building, pause for a moment. Imagine the lives it’s witnessed, the history it holds, and the legacy it leaves behind. What’s your favorite historic building or place that takes you back in time? Share below! #HistoryInArchitecture #IfWallsCouldTalk #TimelessStories #PreservingThePast #DanDoyle

🏛️ If Walls Could Talk 🏛️ Every building holds a story—a whisper of the past echoing through its walls. From the weathered stones of ancient castles to the intricate facades of historic landmarks, each structure is a time capsule, preserving moments of triumph, resilience, and everyday life. Fun Thought: Next time you pass by an old building, pause for a moment. Imagine the lives it’s witnessed, the history it holds, and the legacy it leaves behind. What’s your favorite historic building or place that takes you back in time? Share below! #HistoryInArchitecture #IfWallsCouldTalk #TimelessStories #PreservingThePast #DanDoyle

Discover the timeless charm and modern twists of Cape Cod homes. Learn about traditional features, siding profiles, and color combinations in James Hardie's comprehensive guide.

Placemaking is one of those words you might hear a lot, but what does it actually mean and what does it mean for churches? We answer both of those questions in this article on our new blog: