Sitting in a wooded glade on the sides of a steep escarpment it is easy to miss St Peter's church at Clyffe Pypard (Clyffe= cliff, Pypard the name of the local landowners). Come summer growth and even the tower vanishes amidst the trees. Foolish in the extreme is anyone with even a glimmer of curiosity who allows themselves to be deterred.
Instead on the lower slopes of the hill take the small lane heading east, there are usually visible signs to the Goddard public house and a Youth Hostel, a turn or so past the public house and a driveway upto the right leads to the church.
The first extant record of a church here is from 1273, with the suggestion that this was already a well established place of Christian worship. The current church is a substantial structure dating mostly from the 15'th century. The nave has a wagon roof and is terminated to the east by a 15'th century screen which has been extended to enclose the heads of the south and north aisles. The chancel, after nearly two centuries of disrepair, was rebuilt in 1860, it is a good example of 'early english' style architecture. Were this not enough there are fine examples of memorials, and (set in the entrances from where once ran the rood loft) two carved chalk figures. Two local names are prominent, Goddard and Spackman, it is hard to move in this part of Wiltshire without finding reference to these families.
The highly ornate pulpit dates from 1629 and is worth more than a moments passing contemplation.
The well kept graveyard boasts a fine display of snowdrops early in the year (alas missed by the photographer this year). And is a place of considerable peace in the summer heat.
This church is usually open. Photographed in April 2010 and November 2009 by Nick Temple-Fry.
