The Church in the Wood

The church is situated in a wood on Bramdean common. It is maintained by the three trustees of the charity of Louisa Francis Katherine Bishop for Divine service. Mrs Bishop was the widow of the Rev Bishop who caused the church to be built here in 1883.

When she died in 1893 she gave instructions to her trustees by a codicil to her will, in which she left £2000. They were to pay the vicar of Bramdean to take services, to maintain the church, and to ring the bell. The latter they do, beginning 15 minutes before each service, to guide the congregation through the wood.

Evensong is celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from May to September at 3pm, with a carol service on the second Sunday in December. Baptisms and wedding blessings, sometimes of gypsies, take place quite frequently.

The church has no parish and no funds apart from those donated by the congregation or well-wishers. Recently attendance has averaged 17 at evensong with greater numbers coming to open air services.

Access is on foot by mud track. Park your car on Bramdean common, and listen for the bell!

Lighting by candles,

Music by harmonium.

Dogs, horses and wellington boots welcome.

upperitchenbenefice.org.uk/church-in-the-wood

Christine

October 11, 2025

This was an astonishing find. It's very well cared for & is surrounded by plenty of seating.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 130 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 6 November

16°C

12°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Bramdean And Hinton Ampner, Winchester, Hampshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Meon Valley Trail

View from Small Down

Joan's Acre Wood

Grandfather's Bottom

Source of the River Itchen

St Nicholas' Church, Chawton

Meon Valley Trail

Chawton Park Wood

Exton Beacon

Pidham to William Hill Path, South Downs National Park

Milburys Descent

Church in the Wood, Bramdean Common

1. The Church in the woods loop from West Tisted — South Downs National Park

2. St Mary Magdalene Church – Woodland at Bramdean Common loop from West Tisted

3. Hiking loop from Ropley Dean

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️