Tour De Benefice
Thorngate and Blackwater Churches
Why Ride Tour De Benefice?
Thorngate and Blackwater Benefice is a group of six churches, east of the A36 and roughly north of Romsey.
A tour around the churches takes in come stunning countryside on the Hampshire Wiltshire border. The ride can be a 1¼ hour challenge, or a day out.
The Tour also affords the opportunity to enjoy churches of different ages and architecture.
Each church also has, and is, a place for pray and reflection. If riding in a group it also allows a pause for the pilgrimage act of learning about, and from, our fellow travellers.
The Routes
Two route are presented here, The Sports Route (21 miles, 1,142ft elevation gain) and the Tourist Route (18 miles, 882ft elevation gain). Parking is available in the immediate vicinity of all of the churches.
The GPX files for both route start at St Margaret’s Church, East Wellow. If you are using the PDF map you can start the routes at any point.
Sports Route
This route is for rides who may want to “push on a bit” and are comfortable riding on main roads.
It uses roads that may be busier with traffic, but that have better sights line and (slightly) better surfaces. There is less chance of coming around a corner to find unexpected gravel, or being nose-to-nose with a car, with little room to pass.
Dean Hill is included in the route. It is not as steep as Ditching Beacon, or narrow as Bealach na Bà, but it is our own (little) local icon climb.
The route also includes a long run on the A27 between Whiteparish and Sherfield English where the speed limit is 60mph.
Tourist Route
This route is suited to those who wish to proceed at a more relaxed pace. It uses the back lanes, wherever possible. These are narrower and the surface is less good. The rider will need to slow up on corners and may need to pause if they encounter a vehicle.
Between St Peter’s, West Tytherley and St Winfrith’s, East Dean there is a pedestrian crossing, with gates, to walk across a railway line.
On the return leg, between St John’s, Lockerley and St Leonard’s, Sherfield English there is a section of footpath. Riders must dismount and push their machines. This is included because it keep riders off the A27. The footpath affords fine views of the tower of St Leonard’s as one approaches. There is also the chance to hear the clock chime. After wet weather the path will become muddy and riders are advised to proceed to the A27 and use the pavement.
The Tourist Route still includes some hills, there is no flat route around the Benefice!
Hazards
The dangers encountered on the ride are those to be expected on any excursion through the Hampshire countryside. They include, but are not limited to:
- Traditional English potholes and breaking up road edges
- Gravel (also grass in the centre of the more rural lanes)
- Horses Riders (always be polite – use bell to warn of approach and ask before passing)
- Narrow lanes with high hedgerows and poor sight lines
- In the Summer the road under the tree canopy can be in deep shadow, giving car drivers visibility problems
Riders are advised to wear high visibility tops and use a back light.
3 Things To Look For In Each Church
Information on the churches is available on the Benefice website.
Wikipedia and village websites also have information
Additionally, some of the churches have paper guides available – look for them on the tables that also have notice sheets etc.
The highlights to look for in each church are:
St Margaret’s Church, East Wellow
- Florence Nightingale (everywhere)
- The gun mounted on the roof beam
- The medieval wall paintings
St John’s Lockerley
- The display of the kneelers. Normally hidden in the pews, in Lockerley, they make a colourful display.
- The marble carving behind the altar (the Reredos)
- The ancient font and model of old church in the porch
St Peter’s, East Tytherley
- 13th Century Stained Glass in the side walls of the Chancel (area at the front, near to the altar)
- Ancient headstones and memorials in the Churchyard
- The Gifford Memorial – at the rear of the Nave under the Stained Glass windows depicting St Peter
St Peter’s, West Tytherley
- The sheep dog in the stained glass by the altar
- The Barrel Organ at the front of the Church
- Memorials from the old church now demolished
- Brasses in front of the Georgian Box Pews
St Winfrith’s, East Dean
- Roof beams – some 13th Century
- The Tudor Gallery and Bell Tower
- Stones from Roman Villas re-used on the outside corners of walls
St Leonard’s, Sherfield English (usually locked)
- The stocks stored at the front left of the church
- The architecture and Art Deco features (church completed in 1904)
- Octagonal Bell Tower
