Beautifully remote, this tiny coastal chapel looks more like an abandoned barn than a place of worship; indeed, its long history includes a spell as a barn in the 18th century.
One of the oldest churches in Britain, it was built in 654 by St Cedd on the foundations of a Roman fort — along its west wall, hence the name. Indeed, St Cedd’s mission in Essex was so successful that he was made Bishop of the East Saxons.
Hardy walkers might follow the 45-mile St Peter’s Way that culminates on this sea-whipped spot. The path starts at Chipping Ongar and leads through fallow deer-peppered forests and carpets of bluebells at Thrift Wood (if you time it right), Purleigh Vineyard, wetlands with thousands of Brent geese, saltmarshes and mudflats, within sight of Great Baddow’s famous Second World War radar mast.
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Capel and Tudeley, Kent: The unassuming village churches with concealed masterpieces within
Annunciata Elwes continues her look at Secret Britain's best spots with the surprising artworks at the churches of Capel and
A 700-year-old manor house in the Cotswolds with its own moat, secret gardens and royal connections
Bolehyde Manor, a few miles from Chippenham, is a glorious, large house with wonderful gardens.
New College, Oxford: The 650-year story of the college that dreamt it was a palace
John Goodall looks at New College, Oxford, the most widely copied university college in England, a building inspired by a
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The architect who created the MI6 building only designed a tiny handful of houses — and one of them is now up for sale in one of London's most bucolic spotsSir Terry Farrell designed the beautiful, light-filled, T-shaped Drum House in Petersham, wrapped around by gardens laid out by a multiple Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist.
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The teeny tiny car that you absolutely don’t need, but will absolutely want this summer — and it has an inbuilt showerThe Fiat Topolino has been reimagined by French swimwear brand Vilebrequin just in time for the summer holidays.
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St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, Heysham: The mythical Lancashire ruins with a heavenly viewAnnunciata Elwes takes a look at St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, a Morecambe Bay landmark.
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10 of Scotland’s most magical white sand beachesWhat better day to celebrate some of Scotland's most stunning locations than St Andrew's Day? Here's our pick of 10 of the finest white sand beaches in the country.
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Curious Questions: Who dislodged Britain's most famous balancing rock?A recent trip to Cornwall inspires Martin Fone to tell the rather sad story of the ruin and restoration of one of Cornwall's great 19th century tourist attractions: Logan Rock at Treen, near Land's End.
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Henley Festival: 13 things you'll see at the 'posh Glastonbury'Revellers in ball gowns and dinner jackets, turning up on board £200,000 boats to dance and party while knocking back magnums of vintage champagne? It can only be the extraordinary Henley Festival, the high-end musical extravaganza that's a sort of Glastonbury-on-Thames for the (very) well heeled. We sent Emma Earnshaw along to see what it was like.
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The best open air theatres in BritainAmid the sweet chestnuts, walnuts and cobnuts of a Suffolk farm, a natural amphitheatre has been transformed into a glorious sylvan venue for touring companies to tread Nature’s boards. Jo Cairdv pays a visit to the mesmerising Thorington Theatre, and picks out three more of the finest outdoor performance venues in Britain.
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Alexandra Palace: How it's survived fires, bankruptcy and even gang warfare in 150 years as London's 'palace of the people'Alexandra Palace has suffered every imaginable disaster, yet remains enduringly popular even a century and a half after its official grand opening. Martin Fone takes a look at the history of one of Britain's great public buildings.
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Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland: The spectacular border town with a castle that changed hands 13 timesBerwick-upon-Tweed spent centuries as a pawn in Anglo-Scottish conflict; today, it's a charming border town with spectacular sights. Clive Aslet takes a look.
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Ewelme, Oxfordshire: The medieval almshouses set up by Chaucer's grand-daughter and still running todayCountry Life's 21st century Grand Tour of Britain stops off at the remarkable church and almshouses at Ewelme, Oxfordshire.
