Mysterious Wonders Hidden beneath a Wiltshire Church. Royal Enfield Himalayan Ride. Wiltshire Man

I was first told of these wonders by my friend Dickie.
Dickie is a real motorcycle enthusiast, he lives to ride his bikes and has just started a KZbin channel, please support him if Motorcycles and History are your things.
Dickie's Channel: / @dickiemintcycles
James also made a video of All Saints Alton Priors and has many very interesting videos based locally here in Wiltshire, another worthy channel that deserves more subscribers.
James Channel: • Neolithic Marvels Hidd...

[@joeschenk8400]

Great ride and very interesting history. I always enjoy seeing your countryside. Waiting on you coming bike trip. Thanks for the post. 👍👍👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Joe

[@cleophusA]

Great video! It must be exciting, (and not a little humbling), to be surrounded by so much ancient history. I am from Alabama, the Heart of Dixie. My family have lived here in this county of Alabama for 10 generations and have been in America for 12, yet your history makes mine seem just the blink of an eye! My family came from Scotland to South Carolina after the battle of Colloden and worked their way west until we ended up here in the northern corner of Alabama, many years before the State of Alabama even existed, yet that great yew tree was standing there beside that beautiful Church for hundreds and hundreds of years before my family even left the Highlands of Scotland! It gives you a sense of perspective on just how brief is our time on this earth. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thats one great thing about the UK and Wiltshire in particular is it has a lot of history going right back to the beginnings of mankind settling and farming the land. On my fathers side we came from Scotland, Dad would have had ancestors that where part of the McDonald clan, now that clan are spread far and wide around the globe

[@thewildirishman]

Perfect timing Sandy….just sat down with a nice cup of tea for another Wiltshire Man video….😁

[@garphykeks]

What a wonderful video Sandy! I can imagine sitting underneath that Yew tree paying respect to my ancestors and them selecting a bough for longbow. Classy vid, thanks bro👌🖤

[@WiltshireMan]

Your welcome Marty, I'm sure some longbows were made from that tree in the past, try doing it now and they'd have you arrested:)

[@DDan61]

You may not know a lot about history, but you sure know how to present it! Can't wait for the bike tour :) Stay safe and healthy!

[@WiltshireMan]

Cheers Dan, setting off in an hour or so on my bike trip:)

[@mickstupp6300]

I must admit that as kids growing up it that area, we took it all for granted. It's not until you move away that you realise not everyone is blessed with such interesting and ancient surroundings. Nice video.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes, when you live in the place I think you become used to it

[@patrickshaw7983]

Nice ride out and very interesting bit of history.

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

I am pleased you have been Sandy -A true amazing place-Thank you for the mention and recommendation 👍👍

[@WiltshireMan]

No problem James, It was well worth the visit:)

[@sonickitchen]

Lovely job. Church of St John the Baptist at Inglesham is another Saxon wonder worth a ride out to. The walls feature paintings from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century, often with one painted over another, in places seven layers thick.

[@WiltshireMan]

I walked past it a few years ago when I walked part of the Thames path, yes it is a lovely church

[@terrybennett8692]

Such an interesting video Sandy, you are right, Christian sites were often built over older religious sites, Avebury church is built within the stone circle, looking forward to your epic trip, all the best , Terry.

[@iantbird]

Having retired to Thailand after living all my life in Wiltshire, I really enjoy your videos. Keep it up, thank you.

[@WiltshireMan]

I guess you are going get warmer weather over there most of the year

[@hArtyTruffle]

Thanks for revealing that marvellous secret Sandy 👍🏼 Love old churches.✨

[@WiltshireMan]

They are wonderful links to the past

[@Celtic-Silver-countryman]

What a marvellous video Sandy.

[@bushlore21]

Beautiful Sandy!! Enjoyed this, see you in the next one!! 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Amante, this was a rather special place

[@silktvPDR1]

Very interesting and lovely to see real history

[@John..18]

Great video Sandy,, I'm into "old things", at the moment, I've recently bought a pocket knife with 1000 year old Oak scales from a German Castle,,! And I've ordered a custom knife with bog oak scales, which are 5000 years old, !! As you say, it's great to imagine what has passed, and what tales such things could tell us,, 🤔,, All the best,, John ps, of course I'm gonna Google "Sarson stones" ha ha,, 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Bog oak can be very old, the older it is the blacker it is

[@deanie557]

Enjoyed that. 😊 The Church was built on top of those stones imo.

[@WiltshireMan]

I think so too

[@PaulOutdoors]

Wonderful Sandy. Wiltshire is a magical place 👍😊

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Paul it is a lovely county

[@barbroevanderlindquist4128]

At the stund to hear it seems like there are beehives or Yellow jackets down under the floor🐝 .Nice and intresting video !🕊🇸🇪

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes there were some insects, possibly bee's up in the roof

[@Gunslinger-1962-martin]

@DDann61 certainly nailed the top comment sandy 👌 you certainly know your presentation 👏👏👏👏👏🙌👌 well worth watching 👌 i feel ashamed i walk/ride round blinkered 🙈👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa, Martin I think we all walk around with blinkers on at times:)

[@MerciaMoto]

What a marvellous video, beautifully recorded and edited and wonderfully entertaining and informative. What an incredible place this is you have taken us to. Thank you 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks:) Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrissteer9215]

Morning Sandy I couldn’t wait any longer had to watch the video while having breakfast then off to Scotland again for a four day bike tour round the Lowlands and Forrest trails good old Himalayans.

[@WiltshireMan]

Ah Lovely, you will have a great trip I am sure, I'd love to get up there on my Himi, but not enough time and money available at the moment so I have to be happy closer to home:)

[@DanOpdal]

Thank you for sharing your adventure! Interesting video. Thank you for taking me along, Sandy. Cheers

[@WiltshireMan]

Thankyou Dan :)

[@DanOpdal]

@@WiltshireMan You're very welcome, my friend!

[@Wigglesway]

A Wilshire man vlog on a Monday, wonderful! and brilliant to hear Dickie is uploaded some videos, subscribed already to him, it's easy to see he is such a good friend so we will support his channel along with yours of course, take care see you soon .

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Nige, I think Dickie will come up with some nice videos in due course, he is a great friend

[@oldgittarist]

Very well presented, Sandy!

[@WiltshireMan]

Thankyou :)

[@barryconway]

Very interesting, W.M. Lots of theories about Yew Trees and Churchyards, but when the tree pre-dates the church, it’s “think again”, it seems! Interesting to see fresh foliage on that first hidden Sarsen. It seems one set of beliefs didn’t entirely subdue the other?

[@martyjames6204]

loved the video, thanks again Sandy. Cheers

[@michael1061]

Nice one sandy . Thanks for that .

[@stevetaylor8446]

How strange is this...yew tree in Downe Village near here also 1700 years old and looks very similar. Charles Darwin used to attend the church every Sunday. Very interesting place Sandy

[@4seasonbackpacking]

Interesting find. Going have pay a visit. Thanks for the video.

[@simonbragg5888]

That opening drone sequence of the church complete with the music was like the start of an episode of Morse. 😊 Another entertaining and informative video Sandy. 👍🏼

[@thekingstone8632]

Really loved this video Sandy ,loved the secret Sarcen Stone under tbe ancient church floor..and of the beautiful Old Yew Tree just amazing ! Lovely to meet you the the other day 😊 xxxShaz

[@WiltshireMan]

You'd love the old Yew tree Sharon

[@thekingstone8632]

Hi Sandy the Yew tree was beautiful ,you could fit a little chair in there and dream the day away ! Love to you and Mandy xxxShaz@@WiltshireMan

[@stephenszalay]

Superb. Thanks for sharing. This has just made my to-do list and a coffee stop at Honeystreet

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Steve Honey street just a short walk away

[@DesmondsDonders]

Great video Sandy. Loved the stories you wove thank you. I am only coming if I can bring Desmond LOL

[@WiltshireMan]

Desmond is always welcome Dave:)

[@markjlacey]

Fascinating video, Sandy. Will have to visit myself to see that - as if that area doesn’t have enough to look at already! Fortunately not too far away in Dorset. All the best.

[@WiltshireMan]

Also just a short walk away is the source of the River Avon, I shall have to go back:)

[@English.Andy1]

This reminds me of a local church to me ‘Worth church’ it’s believed to be the 2nd oldest in the country. It was ancient by the time William the Conqueror come to the shores 😮. It has original Saxon arches inside. To this day that are untouched. That was definitely there before the church, most churches are built on some previous worship site, pagans or alike. It’s a magnificent church & well worth a google (no pun intended) our churches are testament to history of our country & something I’ve very passionate about if you take time look & admire. Fabulous tree, so long lived.

[@peter236uk1]

Another great video my friend

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Pete:)

[@noraburgess3136]

Beautiful!... Just loved this. But what did you have for your tea??.. Sorry if you think this is a strange request, but I always ask my family when they come to visit me "what are you having for tea"!

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa, i think it was sausage, mash and pea's :)

[@expat0149]

Spent two postings to RAF Lyneham , lived in Calne and Swindon , i really liked Wiltshire so much history :)

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes there is a lot of history in Wiltshire

[@mischef18]

Although not a religious person i did enjoy this video bro. Safe travels. Ken.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Ken:)

[@daveunsworth9931]

Interesting as always thanks.

[@cameronlewington3005]

Great drone work/footage Sandy

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Cam, I had to replace my drone at quite some expense recently so I'm pleased I can add drone footage back into my videos:)

[@cameronlewington3005]

@@WiltshireMan it makes for a great multi perspective episode. It reminds us how beautiful England is!

[@victormonster4658]

Thanks for this one WM. Love visiting churches, each one has a great story to tell. Sadly most rural churches are locked up these days, can’t blame them though. 👍👌

[@markwoodward7195]

Another special video Sandy. Please, keep this type of format going for us Suffolk folk with all the history of our area.

[@WiltshireMan]

I shall be doing more of this type of video in the future Mark, there is a lot to see in Wiltshire but hopefully my travels will take me further afield too

[@neilwilkinson5415]

Really interesting trip. It’s incredible to think how old that Yew is and I agree, the church was probably built on top of the old Pagan site like so many churches were. Thanks for the film Sandy.

[@charlespark7338]

Hi Sandy, you certainly find local history for us to view and visit in the future.Its quite amazing how much old history there is local to us. Did I see the Wiltshire Man back in the air?. Being able to visit such places when it’s quite is another big bonus. Cheers

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Charles, Yes I am flying a drone again, it took a while and cost a fortune (around £400) to get a replacement drone, still using the old controller though. Got the same model (Mini 2) but have now paid for some insurance too!!!

[@trig6712]

Again Thanks Sandy Most interesting amazing what is out of sight sometimes ..I was out working on my Aerials here in Dumfries and lots of down to the Solway firth Very Early !! I thought Cold Snowy Winter !! new Years Day is 22nd December

[@WiltshireMan]

We could well be in for a cold winter

[@GillianHazel-g1u]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video,.loved the thought that something 1800 years old is still living.thankyou once again,and look forward to your next adventure .👍👍👍

[@coasthome8356]

Fascinating! Thank you for showing us.

[@simonwiltshire]

Thankyou sandy you do take me to some great places and some bring back such good memorys.

[@geoffw8565]

Hi Sandy. Your video is of All Saints ( 12th cent ) but the other church, St Mary's was built much earlier I think 10th cent ? Maybe do a video on that next time ? Interesting two churches so close to each other ?

[@robtherover]

I love watching the local history of Britain. Great vid Sandy. New drone or managed to get the old one repaired? Great footage with it. That's my next big purchase I think. I'm looking at the DJI mini 2 se.

[@WiltshireMan]

I got a brand new replacement Mini2 drone only Rob and quite huge expense (£375, then I also brought a new battery at an extra £55). The best drone for a newbie is the Mini 2SE, it will do everything my drone does but just not 4k and will cost just over £300 and that includes controller

[@jimrowland6089]

That was a very cool destination. I think all the way back to Roman times and before, important places stayed in the same places because new important places were built on top of the older ones. Like the real estate agents say over here, Location, Location, location. Always a pleasure watching your adventures Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Jim you are correct, the parish and the field systems were established by the Romans and perhaps even the Neolithic people before them!

[@paulmeyer1628]

Thank you Sandy for another very interesting outride...the scenery and historical places of interest simply amazes me every time. Looking forward to the next video and wish you and your family a great week🤝🏻👍🏻

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Paul

[@jessicapayne8622]

I got the same shivering exciting feeling when you shown them stones as the same feelings I got when I was at Stonehenge one summer solstice. Can never, ever forget them emotions. Thankyou for sharing this with us x

[@WiltshireMan]

There is something very special about this place Jessica

[@jessicapayne8622]

@@WiltshireMan I’d love to go there myself. When I can, no rush! X

[@campfire52]

Wow, what an interesting and ancient church to visit Sandy. A great story behind it and loads of history about it and its surrounding countryside. You must have been awestruck on that visit just realizing and picturing in your mind how things could have been hundreds of years ago. I feel very privileged to have joined you on this amazing visit. Thank you my good friend and I will see you on the next one.

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm sure in the past this area would have been heavy forest which was cleared by farming, it's very interesting to look back in time Terry:)

[@michaeloldfield5491]

Lovely video sandy ..looking like a brilliant ride out ..I hope you had a great day

[@WiltshireMan]

Every day is a good day Michael :)

[@michaeloldfield5491]

@WiltshireMan most certainly is glad enjoyed your day ..lovely old church as well thinke and my good lady will visit it

[@oscartravis5740]

I love these tantalising gems from history. And if that yew tree could talk! I think you're bang on the money that a stone circle once occupied the site as Christianity commandeered a lot of pagan religious sites for the twofold purpose that it wipes away links to the heathen past, and the sites would've had a charged spiritual significance for being chosen in the first instance, that Christianity plugged into

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Oscar I think your right

[@jeetts59]

Wonderful video. I have always been interested in British history, although I’m a 4th generation Australian I always feel a strong connection to everything British.

[@WiltshireMan]

There was an uprising in Alton Barnes many years ago and some of them were deported to Australia!

[@adymackay9246]

Thanks Sandy for those interesting facts will make a visit just down the road from me 👍🏻 long have the days gone in respect of removing your hat when entering a house of God 🙏😁

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

That yew tree was awesome sandy. How many longbows that could have provided. Nice to see it’s still there though 👍😉♥️😊

[@WiltshireMan]

I bet it has grew some long bows over the years Marcus

[@glenhawman7440]

Awsome :-)

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Thanks for taking us along on this visit Sandy, interesting. One thing I've noticed on a few of the other Churches you've put in your video's they are always open to the public at all times it seems? quite differently here in our area. Churches have hours and after hours the doors are locked to avoid vandals, I suppose. The other thing I've always noticed also is on any path or road where you encounter a gate or barway. its always closed and when you go thru it you make sure to close it as you found it. another thing here that is abused. a lot of farmer here post their land because hikers and hunters leave their barways open and their cattle get out etc. again different courtesy's and respect. Oh we all are not like that but far more than I'd like to see. thanks again for sharing de Ellis WA1RKS

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Ellis, yes we should all show respect, over here in the UK we have something called the "Country code" I think many of the youngsters have never heard of it but it's been around for years

[@MsDenver2]

Wow very interesting , did you say what the whole in the stone was for? Thankyou for sharing and taking us along 👍🏍

[@WiltshireMan]

No, I don't know what the hole was for Donna, but apparently stones like that are supposed to be very sacred

[@MsDenver2]

Thankyou I will have to visit that church and perhaps do a bit of digging about the whole 👍🏍

[@ianmonteith2321]

Hi sandy, nothing to do with this video but did you ever get the dutch army hooped bivy zip repaired, love all your videos keep em coming and thank you, Ian

[@WiltshireMan]

No I didn't, It still works but will not hold if the fabric is under tension, apparently there are two manufacturers of this bivi and one cut corners with a light duty zipper

[@ianmonteith2321]

Yes it was the Spanish make I think, shame it looked a handy shelter

[@Daytona2]

Thanks Sandy - lovely vid and lovely location 🌄 I've driven through there many a time, but not stopped. I really must learn to become a tourist in the places I live. Another example of the common, hostile & abusive religious behaviour - building over another religion's site to attempt to suppress or assimilate them. People from north America - I don't understand when you claim you don't have ancient history, when humans first arrived 15-20,000 years ago ? 🤔

[@johnmatthews9293]

I’ve clicked on your link for dickies channel but it’s not putting me on it does he have a channel name.thanks sandy,another good video.

[@WiltshireMan]

It should be working now

[@memybikeni9931]

That stone with the hole in reminds me of the cap stone lintels at stone Henge where they slot into the uprights.

[@WiltshireMan]

I think the hole was man made

[@memybikeni9931]

@@WiltshireMan definitely.

[@dewipeach]

I was along for the ride; we'd had two most wonderful days and now wet Wednesday...! Of great interest the place and history... you'd the Roman's then and Rome today with replacement theology creating a comfortable lukewarm Religion and mislead believe, openly seen in the conflict and otiosity waged in the middle East this moment and the call for widespread global action. We can only hope and pray for peace overall. Stay safe and take care. Davey.

[@marksadventures3889]

It was quite often that destruction of Pagan sites took place by "Christian" churches. Then they took in Pagan ceremony too. Very interesting Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

The Christian church is a hotch potch of Christian and pre christian beliefs I think!?

[@marksadventures3889]

@@WiltshireMan it is especially the mass and eurherist and so much symbolism too.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thanks lee

[@richardraven9047]

Beautiful church may it stand another 1000 years, The word "sarsen" is a shortening of "Saracen stone" which arose in the Wiltshire dialect. In the Middle Ages, "Saracen" was a common name for Muslims, and came by extension to be used for anything regarded as non-Christian, whether Muslim or pagan in contrast to Christianity

[@meme4one]

This church is back in the news this week. Saxons pairings on the walls have just come to light.

[@AndyBrice]

Please note there are 2 old churches with old yew trees only about 200m apart! The one nearest the road is St Mary's church. To get to all Saints church (with the ancient yew) you need to follow the unusual cobbled path across the field and through the turnstiles. No idea why there would be 2 churches so close together in such as small village. Different denominations perhaps?

[@WiltshireMan]

Different parishes, All saints is in the parish of Alton priors and St Mary's is in Alton Barnes. The fledgling river Avon runs between the two churches

[@AndyBrice]

@@WiltshireMan That makes sense. Didn't realize that was the river Avon. Thanks.

[@jandavies-dx2qg]

Hi the link to Dickie's channel doesn't work. Am I doing something wrong 😮

[@WiltshireMan]

It works now, Not your fault!

[@nickcalnephone]

That yew tree might just have seen the Romans leave, the Saxons come and build the original church, the Vikings come and go, the Normans turn up and build the new church..... and still only have been roughly half as old as it is now.

[@WiltshireMan]

It would have seen all those things for certain

[@alangillanders2811]

The QR code inside the doorway leads you to a Audio list on the church.

[@WiltshireMan]

Ah, I don't understand the QR thingeys

[@jahvaults6500]

Pagan tree of death , the Yew tree

[@mophotodetroit]

Hasmas used paraglides! Did you see that!

[@Dustypilgrim1]

You reckonesd you weren't much good at the old history stuff , but I think your analysis of what went on with that church and stone is pretty much right. Most major christian sites in Britain were deliberately imposed over tarditional ,pagan, holy places, and for just the resons you stated- to enable the assimilation of existing pagan worshippers.. It's always worth remembering that Christmas is damn all to do with the birth of Jesus, in terms of the date of the event. The christmas 'event' was set where it is in the calendar simply to subvert and nick the existing pagan holiday that celebrated the winter solstice,

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Will thats how it goes I'm afraid, they not only want to rob us of our money but also of our beliefs!

[@no_excuses]

Interesting video Sandy, I like how you explained the linkage between the pagan monument and the Saxon church. I'm not sure what we will leave behind in another 1000+ years as modern spiritual beliefs are less materialistic.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thats a thought, maybe a few silicon chips will survive:)

[@christopherellis2663]

Rather, the holy sites were taken over.Many a church in Europe is a former Roman temple

[@chrisgibson2328]

Pagans would gather in places special to them (they had no "churches") and the Christians would appropriate those places by building on them.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thats about it

[@richardspeed8409]

All that time why cut corners and not walk full path to church cut last corner and walk on grass

[@WiltshireMan]

Because I thought the camera angle looking across the grass to the church was nice

[@duskhunter3803]

Yet another case of one religion trying to bury another….literally…

[@WiltshireMan]

Quite so

[@pj8964]