700 Year old abandoned Cemetery in the woods, Church demolished. Reclaimed by Nature. Wiltshire Man

Whilst looking over some maps I found a curious woodland, something about it just wasn't right.
A little bit of research soon cleared up what I had found, this was no ordinary piece of woodland, it was in fact and abandoned grave yard the church having long since been demolished.
I had found the churchyard of St Marys close to the old hamlet of Eisey just a few hundred yards away from the river Thames.
There has been a Church on this site since the 14th Century, the original church was demolished and a newer one replaced it in 1844.
The "New" Church was only to stand for 109 years before it to was demolished in 1953.
I think the church fell into disuse because of low populations in the area. The
population of Eysey had always been a small one, just 95 adults in 1851 and only 52 in 1901.
Over the years there have been possibly hundreds of burials in this abandoned church yard. The parish registers date from 1571, and end in 1947 so as you can imagine there are a fair few burials in the churchyard. Today there is evidence of the boundary wall and some memorials but the whole area is heavily wooded and overgrown.
Well worth a visit if you happen to be cycling by:)

[@WiltshireMan]

Anyone wishing to use the mapping that I used will find it by searching online for "Georeferenced Maps" it will come up as one of the top search results. KZbin does not like links being shared for some reason

[@robtherover]

So Charles Horton passed away 6 years before the church was demolished. It looks like he had a descent burial and an expensive plot. It makes you wonder how long his relatives visited his grave before totally abandoning it. Fascinating adventure Sandy.

[@nickrose5155]

Charles Horton must have been related to David, Hugo and Alice Horton! He has found Dibley church! I wondered what happened to it when the series finished.

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Interesting video. More historical site visits please.

[@marksadventures3889]

If a family moved or have living relatives this can happen, sadly.

[@rialobran]

Deliquescence is the word of the day Nice find Sandy.

[@jeffjones6107]

Thanks for taking me on your ride, Sandy 👍

[@TheNon-DigArtist]

Nice job discovering that! I love the fact that there must be so many hidden places in the countryside to find!

[@billhambelton7698]

Absolutely fascinating Sandy. Shows how quickly mother nature can erase our presence.

[@tonypatey5669]

Smashing video Sandy. It continues to amaze me, how close you live to so many fascinating places. Very surprised that the church would abandon the deceased like that. You learn something new every day. Thanks for sharing. Tony.

[@WiltshireMan]

There's history all around us Tony, the land has been here for an eternity already and will be here for another eternity.

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Interesting video Sandy, it is surprising how quickly some sacred places are demolished and forgotten and those commoners left to nature but a person of importance is honoured throughout eternity !

[@WiltshireMan]

I don't know about being honoured Paul, some of them were scoundrels

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

@@WiltshireMan True

[@markpinnington1723]

Thanks Sandy for an excellent video again. Very interesting site...but also sad that resting places are left like that. Great camera work 👍

[@DanOpdal]

Very interesting video, Sandy! Thank you for sharing and taking me along. Cheers!

[@martystacey4429]

Beautiful countryside Sandy... Reminds me of my early days in West Berks with my bike, a fishing rod attached to my crossbar and a wicker fishing basket/seat full of my tackle (and jam sarnies) Happy days and many thanks for the memory jog🤗KTF🙏

[@WiltshireMan]

sounds like happy times Marty:)

[@nephewbob7264]

Thanks for the interesting tour. Gravestones are man's last desperate attempt at immortality, but eventually they too will return to dust, just as flesh and bone do.

[@WiltshireMan]

Quite true Bob. No point worrying about it:)

[@paulmagus2133]

love these adventures and this video is certainly thought provoking

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

Interesting video, and so sad that over time some graveyards are forgotten, the stones have lasted well considering the natural growth around, the moss has not damaged them or the moisture. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@Trekon2]

Thankyou Sandy for your efforts and for sharing this information 👏👋

[@samjones6546]

What an amazing find! So sad to think that is how people end up, forgotten about and overgrown. Interesting video.

[@johnpawson7400]

A church was moved because of flooding near where I live. The graveyard is still there, a grave there holds a mail coach man whose coach overturned, fascinating. Brilliant adventure Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

Interesting history John

[@dekirk4101]

Nice video. Good to see how quickly nature can get it's own back if it is simply left alone.

[@WiltshireMan]

I think the ground must be very fertile. Tree's have deep roots :)

[@dekirk4101]

@@WiltshireMan Yep, most are over 6 feet.😀

[@susanlambert8164]

Fascinating video Sandy you always manage to show us something new. Great video 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

It's nice when I come across something new:)

[@leroygee2902]

Great video Sandy! You've got me interested in exploring like that again. Did back when I was in my 30's. Moved to Kent Ohio, where I found an old railroad yard overgrown and the remnants of an old canal. I always liked looking at topo maps to find places to explore. Thanks for getting me interested in this again!

[@WiltshireMan]

Glad this video fired up an old interest leroy

[@RetroRamblers]

Really interesting, Sandy. We love history and exploring, keep up the great videos

[@WiltshireMan]

History is so important

[@neilwilkinson5415]

Great video Sandy. You would not have known that hidden graveyard was there unless you had done the research. Well done for locating it in that dense undergrowth. Looking forward to seeing the new bike.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Neil

[@jayxrt385]

Lovely video as always Sandy

[@craigmarsh3221]

Hi sandy cracking video that was so very enjoyable and interesting about the history of the places you visited that would be a lovely place for a wild camp so very peaceful.

[@paulmeyer1628]

Thank you Sandy for a beautiful local and historical trip!👍🏻 Looking forward to your next trip with your new bike😃👌🏻

[@londonviking3801]

I recon you must be the fittest man in Wiltshire. Respect! I know how hard it is cycling across the fields on a hardtail. Great to see the sun out too. Great adventure and fantastic find! 🪦💀

[@WiltshireMan]

Not so good today I have a fever, feel queasy, ear ache, head ache, neck ache, a sore hip and a sore backside from my recent adventure! Not doing anything for a while but rest..

[@londonviking3801]

@@WiltshireMan Hope you feel better soon. Hope your viewers appreciate your efforts. I have a bad hip too but since going carnivore 18mths ago I've had zero issues.

[@billcotton1551]

You did a brilliant job filming this one Sandy!

[@wayneberry8703]

Great video, Sandy 👍🏼. How sad to be forgotten 😢

[@1brokenspoke189]

I did a wild camp in my local woods at Swarkstone in Derbyshire and after a bit of research i found out that it is a Viking burial site . If only we could travel back in time just for an hour or two .

[@jbradshaw4236]

Amazing video Sandy.

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Great video, I used to run the workshop at seven Bridges in the area where you are, for Austen Trading Vans (more in a mo), Would there have been 7 bridges we only ever found 5 along the roman road section there. I used to work for the son but one day Brian Austen turned up and we was chatting and he told me all about the Lions and Tigers and Elephants that they over wintered on the site. So on the map at 1:35 where the 6 is at the Bottom edge in the 1970/80s there was lions, tigers and elephants there from Austen Brother Circus.

[@WiltshireMan]

Interesting bit of info there Tim, sometimes all that remains are the place names

[@brettatkinson4325]

Great video, Sandy amazing find 👍

[@patrickevans8940]

Every day is a school day watching your excellent videos Sandy

[@madmax2506]

👍👍👍👍👍👍 many thanks Sandy

[@EdwinFeliu]

Amazing historical archeological discovery!

[@jacquelinesaunders3041]

Just watched your video Sandy. Very interesting as we live in Cricklade and have walked up to Eisey Hill quite a few times. If you go in the winter when all the nettles are gone you'll see quite a few much older gravestones. Also quite a few children's. Thanks for the video.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes I thought there must be a lot more there, I would have explored more but the nettles were waste high. I came in via the Thames path, I did try and get jhere back in the Winter but it was too boggy, Maybe I'll go back again this Winter via road and go via the farm, not sure if thats a public right of way or not?

[@jacquelinesaunders3041]

@@WiltshireMan yes you can go via the farm , turn right at the end of the Rd with the farm directly in front of you and there's a footpath just along there that takes you in to the field, carry on walking and cross the style then the woods are on your left just up the hill. I has been very boggy since before Christmas because of the rain we've had and the Thames floods right out into the fields.

[@simonwiltshire]

Didn't have a clue about that one, close to where i used to live too, thankyou for showing it to us sandy!

[@denisgrehan242]

Thanks Sandy amazing what's around you. Can't imagine doing a wild camp in unknown Wood and finding graves like that.

[@SteveSeadog]

What an amazing place to find, Sandy. It doesn't take too many years for nature to reclaim what was hers for millennia. Looking forward to seeing your bike packing trip . . . and the bike reveal.

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

Great experience also a pleasur to watch Sandy-I have also posted this on my FB history group !

[@jimrowland6089]

Very cool destination Sandy. Love seeing history as it lays today.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Jim, lots of old bones in that church yard, all forgotten now though and no trace of a church either!

[@davebarney3369]

Lovely adventure, Sandy. I watched it then watched the King Alfred’s Way adventure again 😂

[@davidginn8448]

Nice one Sandy, I admire as always your tenacity, going where hardly any other man has been in 70 years. And going to the trouble of taking us along, you are an inspiration. We have an abandoned chaple on the north bank of the River Tweed, here in the Borders and it too is very difficult to access, I'm now motivated to search it out. Mind I will wait until the land has dried out a bit more before attempting. I'm really intrigued about the new adventure bike, if its another Plant X, as I think you mentioned on your previous video, I hope they give you a big discount as you are promoting their products. ATB Big Dave

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Brilliant find, Sandy. So much history to discover. Great camera work by the way. Thanks! 👍🙂

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Brian, yes a lot of history but most of it well hidden:)

[@r.davies2702]

What a fantastic find, and such a shame that its been left to nature. I was expecting some proper old graves, but these are quite recent actually. Looking forward to seeing the new bike👍

[@EdwinFeliu]

Hiking the bike, I find that to be a very painful experience, getting as sore or more sore than when climbing a steep mountain pass! You are beastly strong, Sandy, wow, way to go, keep on redefining rejuvenation strategies!

[@martinnewman8819]

What a cracking Video Sandy, brilliant subject, very thought provoking mate. As other have said in the comments, does make me fell like looking back through time at some of the occupants of the grave yard to see who they were and what their lives were about. I think we will have to start calling you the "Cycling Historian" I think mate. Really excellent content and very enjoyable. Keep up the good work Sandy. Very best regards to one and all in the house of the Wiltshire man. Regards Moose

[@campfire52]

This was a very interesting video Sandy. I wonder why it became so desolate and abandoned? It appeared that there were a number of plots in it that showed seemingly great care was given at the time of burial to properly honor the deceased. I just wonder what happened to put that church and graveyard into such disrepair and total abandonment? It is a shame but at least you cared enough to at least visit it and acknowledge that it once actually existed. Thank you so much for taking us on another very interesting adventure my friend. And I am really looking forward to seeing your new bicycle in the near future (and seeing it in action.) See you then. Cheers-

[@craighumphreys9482]

Another great video and appreciate your hard work in producing a high quality video. That map app looks good, lucky to live on the edge of some nice country side and will a look at using it to do a bit of exploring locally.

[@WiltshireMan]

Glad you enjoyed it Craig, please check the pinned comment for details on how to find the Mapping app if you don't already know Thanks:)

[@allanmason7544]

enjoyed that vid sandy

[@simonbragg5888]

There is indeed something strangely fascinating about old churchyards Sandy. A great video and as a bonus I got to learn a new word, deliquescent. 😀

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa Yes that new word was taught me by the Grandson of a funeral director. It means turning to liquid!!

[@LindaCharles-sg6mz]

What a shame that the graves are uncared for, they are relatively recent too. I guess it is inevitable, I love reading gravestones and I thought I was the only one but have found out that I am not alone in that regard. I love reading the really interesting ones that depict the area the people lived and died in eg: reading graves that are located in seaside villages or towns very often makes fascinating reading. Thank you for another interesing video.

[@victormonster4658]

Little bit sad that there just forgotten. Thanks WM👍👌

[@martymartin2894]

Sadly all cementarys end up like this after a couple of generations. Especially after your kids are gone theirs very little chance of grandchildren tending your grave, be lucky if you're children even bother these days. Sad but true.

[@charlespark7338]

That’s why we know you as the king of local knowledge.🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️. Just looking on google maps and could there have been a path from what is now Eysey Manor to the church. Quite amazing how quickly the church yard has been forgotten and allowed to become over grown. I cycled the path a few times and like many had no clue about the old church. I wonder how many have walked the Thames path and had no idea the church, use to be so close. When the paths dry out a bit I keep meaning to check out the Ampney Canal Aqueduct also close to the Eysey Manor. A true Wiltshire man find 👍👍

[@stuartmckinnon5795]

Enjoyed your video Sandy something different well done Enjoy your New bike 🚲🍺🍺

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Stuart

[@BeercanBushcraft]

What a lovely little ride out 👍 Obviously you are going to have to do an October 31st stealth camp there 😂 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 All the very best to you and yours - sending your old gal ❤️

[@Andyb2379]

See, I love stuff like this. A bit of local detective work & lead to some very interesting discoveries. Not far from me is balcombe forest where’s there room meant to be ancient burial mounds. I might have to check it out myself one day. Quite a shame in away that they’re so overgrown & forgotten

[@WiltshireMan]

I think in the end time and tide and nature will reclaim everything Andy

[@ralphwelsman9989]

I have a rough inkling of where you are today Sandy. Its amazing that a grave of 1947 has already been lost, and that a chapel or church has perhaps gone too. Great find!

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Ralph, Yes the church has been demolished, to find this place look on the map for a place called Eysey, it's parallel to Cricklade but just across the A417, you'll see a rectangular woodland just south of Eysey farm and thats the church yard whats left of it anyway!

[@mischef18]

Nice outing you had there bro and look forward to your next video. -3 frost this morning here. Safe travels. Ken.

[@WiltshireMan]

Nice and cool Ken, It's getting warm over here:)

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on travels thanks four vid

[@larry3363]

Cremation and spreading of my ashes in a favorite location looking better all the time.

[@OregonMike]

I support you greatly and I feel for your fallen nation.

[@seanoreilly6774]

Good video you will have to go tidy it up one day.

[@pootlingalong8928]

You do do some interesting stuff - I’m glad people pause by churchyards and speak the names of the dead. It’s important. Astonishing how quickly Old Mother Nature reclaims an abandoned spot. Look forward to seeing the new bike and, hopefully, the kit you’ll be packing on it this summer?

[@WiltshireMan]

There are graves there that go back to the 14th Century, most unmarked and totally forgotten

[@bondmood]

Many times I have thought about ruins and remains from previous "civilizations". When they do archeological digs I wonder what could have happened to a community that everything was abandoned to the point that you have to excavate it? Here's an example. No one cares for it and in a few hundred years it may be covered over and totally reclaimed by nature. Great video.

[@WiltshireMan]

Time and tide and nature waits for no man

[@francismccrossan1669]

Very good nice bit of history just goes to show yeah that you just a no body at the end of the day it's a shame about them Graves when you gone you gone stay safe one life enjoy blessed be

[@davidG-kg5xz]

This is why I’m being cremate you’re only remembered by one or two generations, but looking by the state of that graveyard not even one generation came back to Pay their respect … nice one Sandy .

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes, a shame really.

[@jimksa67]

Solomon said it was more profitable to go to a funeral than a wedding! Pays to look ahead! Hopefully to Jesus for salvation. cheers from an old man in Canada :)

[@frankhansen2305]

please do some more videos like this, Frank in Sweden

[@shortangrybloke]

Id want to get in there with a strimmer and tidy the place up !

[@oscartravis5740]

An inspired find just by toggling between old and new maps! Sad to think those people have surviving relatives but they are all but forgotten, and their memories are gone back to nature as if they'd never been.

[@WiltshireMan]

That just about sums it up Oscar

[@zGJungle]

Been meaning to check these woods for a while, like you I found old maps showing a church, nice explore. Have you been to Eisey Lock ? You can follow the old canal route from Eysey Manor to the East to get to it, the Lock keepers Cottage is currently over grown but the restored section of Canal is worth seeing and also Rucks bridge a little further East

[@WiltshireMan]

No I've not been there but just found it on the map, worth a visit I reckon. Thanks for the heads up:)

[@NottinghamshireMadness]

This is exactly why I make KZbin videos, everyone has a story to tell, those people have all had a story. KZbinrs live on!

[@Dave64track]

This was a very interesting video that burial plot looked in such good condition but it's quite sad that the area is no longer kept clean at least. What map was you using at the beginning with the slider it looks really interesting I would love to see what's around my area as my house is a few hundred years old it would be good to see what was around back in the day. Please could you put a link to the website that you used. Enjoy the weekend and take care.

[@WiltshireMan]

Glad you enjoyed it Dave, I'm getting a lot of requests for this, please check the pinned comment for details of the mapping . Thanks:)

[@ysgolgerlan]

Thanks for another interesting video. Would it be a place for a possible wild camp in the future ? 👍👍

[@WiltshireMan]

I'd have no problem with that, if it was my grave I would welcome the company:)

[@gordonsuddery4635]

You do ride out to some very interesting places full of history, how do you find them ! My best wishes to you from the Philippines ❤️💭🤔👍😉😀😁🐑🇵🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Gordon, I just browse through the maps and look for things that look odd or interesting:)

[@EdwinFeliu]

I also share your philosophy: we may be walking living right on someone's resting places...

[@borderlands6606]

The Victorians had great enthusiasm for church building, often when there was little necessity for one. It meant that buildings that had stood since medieval times were abandoned and de-roofed, and churches of questionable architectural merit and modest congregations replaced them. It's not uncommon to see the older churchyard still in use and well maintained for burials. Sadly, this is not one of them. The monument style is quite recent, and it's doubly sad that relatives haven't been round with a strimmer.

[@WiltshireMan]

There must be hundreds if not thousands of burials here as a church has stood there since the 14th Century. Most graves are unmarked

[@tommybewick]

It looks like hard work driving that bike across a muddy field! You're doing great. How are you getting those shots from behind you? Is that your drone following you?

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Tommy it was a hoverair follow me drone, OK for close in shots but no good for landscapes as it's maximum flight range is 9 meters away from the user

[@hondamonkeyboy]

Most interesting video. Could you advise the map website that you use.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi I'm getting a lot of requests for this, please check the pinned comment. Thanks:)

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

'precious moments' indeed, especially in that weather, glorious. I know of a couple of 'abandoned' graveyards, there are probably loads. Interesting and kinda sad. Only a handful of us will be remembered after 50 or so years! Winter would show much more, but it would probably be impossible to get there. Nobody thinks you look like Hitler with your smudge moustache. Cheers.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hiel Wiltshire Man, hahaa. I'm not good today Bry, very run down, feverish, aches, hip not good, backside not good. just back from my trip, had to bail but I made it to Stony littleton long barrow. video l8er

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

@@WiltshireMan Sorry to hear that my friend. Were you feeling rough before you set off, or did it come on more suddenly? Time to heal indoors for a while mate, get yourself 100% before venturing out again. Drink plenty and sleep plenty....

[@Celtic-Silver-countryman]

Very interesting Sandy, Descentants of the people in them graves don't care it seems to know where they are ? I would like a link to that mapping software please.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi John, do a google search for Georeferenced maps, I've just found out that youtube does not like links left in comments. It's easy to find, should be top of the search list

[@ironpirate8]

Would it be a nice thought to find the graves and clear them, and cut paths, and make a sort of garden of remembrance, with an information board to show where the church stood and provide some history? Or is it a nice thing that nature has reclaimed it, and the graves are secret and peaceful? Which would be better in theory? In practice of course, the first option would need council funding, or volunteers.

[@WiltshireMan]

Personally I think it's best left as it is, nature will have the final say in everything

[@johnfountain8588]

Great vlog video It seems to me that when the church was finally demolished they should have sectioned off the cemetery and had the local government act as caretakers for the Deceased.I’m sure a permit was needed to demolish and at that time any responsible party could have seen to that I find it totally unacceptable that the families of the most recently departed did not raise holy hell with what happened There are local cemeteries all over that go back many centuries that are still cared for Someone dropped the ball here SHAME

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes it is a shame, I agree.It is only right that close relatives should tend the graves of loved ones, but in the end I guess we will all be forgoton

[@andymanser1]

Sandy them graves be left in that condition by authorites not good. Could cleaned it up cut place back bit.😊

[@alanarmer882]

👍👍🚲🚲🚲🚲👍👍👍👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Cheers alan

[@mrjiggs3761]

Great video sandy, have you got a link for the map website please?

[@WiltshireMan]

heres the link: maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16.9&lat=51.64511&lon=-1.83536&layers=1&b=1&o=28

[@mrjiggs3761]

@@WiltshireMan Good man Sandy, thankyou!

[@silktvPDR1]

Funny how quickly we are forgotten as time goes by and as families move away from remembering ancestors! Also the church abandoning sacred ground is a bit weird in one way, let's hope they don't get the idea of selling off land and going online 🤔 house with graveyard garden anyone ?😳

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa, well I was also surprised it had been erased Paul, I may go back later and see if the woodland has more graves, I have a feeling it does as there has been a church there since the 14th century. They reckon there could be thousands of burials. The trouble is it was waste high in nettles and in the winter the surrounding trails are very boggy

[@davidpayne8413]

Feeling home sick

[@ed7540]

Hi Sandy. Great video what’s the name of the app ??

[@WiltshireMan]

you can find the map here ed :maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16.9&lat=51.64511&lon=-1.83536&layers=1&b=1&o=28

[@ed7540]

@@WiltshireMan thank you.

[@davidgidman7561]

Just shows how much the church really cares about people. I bet the cash cow dried up so they abandoned it, and the folks buried there.

[@WiltshireMan]

In general I don't think the church gives one hoot about anyone or anything but itself. Over the years this institution has just taken money from everyone it could and as much as it can especially from the poor. The Church is one of the most powerful and wealthiest institutions on the planet and also perhaps one of the most corrupt too...! Have I said too much?

[@DesmondsDonders]

I do not understand abandoned graveyards when you think how protective we are of places where folk are buried.

[@danielgornall5643]

What the name if that mapping app Sandy

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Daniel, I'm getting a lot of requests for this, please check the pinned comment. Thanks:)

[@fishmaster1960]

Didn't you find any signs of the church itself..... I guess the stone would have been used elsewhere.

[@paulsee2]

Called footpaths for a reason mate

[@djsiimz]

It needs tidying up out of respect

[@chrisoffer3074]

The graves shouldn't be left like this ,not good nice video though

[@WiltshireMan]

Unfortunately Chris time and tide and nature waits for no man, we shall all be forgotten in time. It's just the way it is. Never fear death but fear never having lived

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

That’s a fantastic advert for cremation sandy ! I don’t wanna be buried, they can burn me and put my ashes in fireworks to be let off so I can scatter to the wind. Airborne all the way. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🫡🫡♥️♥️👍👍

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm sure it would be cheaper too Marcus, Hopefully you won't need that service for many years though!:)