Langley Chapel - A Whisper From The Past
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Welcome back to Third Rate content.
On a misty late January afternoon in 2025, I embarked on a journey to the quaint countryside of Shropshire to visit the historic Langley Chapel, a gem of English heritage shrouded in mystery. Built in the early 14th century and significantly altered in 1601 by Sir Humphrey Lee, this chapel stands as a testament to time, now often found locked, adding to its enigmatic allure.
My adventure began with the anticipation of exploring the interior, rich with history, but as luck would have it, "church roulette" struck again - the chapel was closed despite assurances from English Heritage. Undeterred, I set out to capture the essence of this place from the outside, where the chapel's weathered stone facade and its famous gothic window still whispered stories of the past.
The chapel, though small, commands attention with its simple yet profound architecture. Its stone walls, aged by centuries, bear the marks of time, while the large arched window at the front is a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship, casting a serene glow even from afar. The overcast sky above added a layer of mystery, enhancing the feeling that this place was truly 'Left To Time.'
In this video, join me as we walk around the chapel, examining its exterior details, from the sturdy wooden bellcote to the subtle signs of restoration efforts. I share insights into its history, from its original construction by Richard Burnell to the re-roofing by Sir Humphrey Lee, painting a picture of its long-standing presence in the Shropshire landscape.
We'll discuss the curious phenomenon of 'church roulette,' where enthusiasts like myself often find these historical sites locked, adding an unexpected twist to our explorations. Despite the closure, the chapel's exterior offers plenty to ponder, from the architectural style to the quiet solitude it exudes.
Through this visit, we delve into the mystery of why such a historical site remains often inaccessible, exploring themes of preservation, the passage of time, and the intrigue of what lies behind those locked doors. While we couldn't step inside, the journey around Langley Chapel still unveils a story of resilience, history, and the quiet magic of places left to time.
So, even though our visit didn't go as planned, the adventure of discovery continues. Stay tuned for more historical explorations, where sometimes the journey itself becomes the story.
Music Karl Casey @WhiteBatAudio
Loved this!
Thank you!
❤
Thank you! 👍
lovely place and not easy to find, the key was chained to the door last year so I guess someone abused it
I could have sent you some footage if I had known
Deep deep in the countryside lol. One day I’ll take TRc in there. Glad you got to see inside tho 👍
@@Traveler13That’s a kind thought. I’m sure it would have been great also 👍
excellent dan,,
wonderful episode...
merci, thanks...
My pleasure as always and thank you!
Your videos have a really good vibe. You really present English history very well. Keep doing what you do my friend. 😊
This is very kind of you to say so and thank you!
Love a good church explore.
One near to Preston in Lancashire just a bit north up the old A6 to Carlisle is St Helens parish church, aka, the 'Cathedral of the Fylde, in the aptly named vilage of Churchtown.
It is a bit bigger than this chapel but more ancient. Dating from 13th century.
If you are in the area well worth a visit before lunch at the local pub.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Helen%27s_Church,_Churchtown
This thumbnail doesnt mention all the bits of old wood and stone carvings as well as faded wall paintings uncovered during various renovations. Nor the little charnel house on one corner, if its still there.
Inside its almost like rummaging through an old loft with Norman pillars wonderfully mismatched with later arches.
I only got to visit once years ago.
I got to go in there, with my best friend, and fellow church explorer. We went to Acton Burnell Church and Castle, amazing, and the church was exquisite, with a carving of Lord Bishop Burnell too, as well as later stained glass, and not as ornate not as many, but quite amazing carved church beastly stone corbels to the outside, amazing tombs inc. a very early monumental knights brass, piscinas, door recesses to barricade with a timber, in case of violence, even some plaster and medieval decoration too. We went there, so I could understand Lord Bishop Burnell and Nantwich Church, in Cheshire, coz he built the earlier of what little survives of his parts of his earlier church there, which was mainly replaced before and after the mid to late 14th C Black Death, by another chap who like Burnell, was strong with the Plantagenet royals. I included his stone portrait and the Victorian Stained glass image of him, in my recent unofficial guide to St Mary's Church, Nantwich. It was well worth the visit! And the Catholic with nuns graveyard next to the Churchyard, was interesting. A protestant church graveyard side by side with a Catholic one.
Then we ventured to Acton Burnell Castle, right by the church, absolutely amazing 13th C extensive ruined structure, and sadly the Parliament Barn is inside a school, but thru the hedge, we got some photos of its ruined only remaining stone gables, in whose walls the first parliament held with commoners!
In Langley, the roof timbers esp. around the belfry are quite unusual and interesting. The pulpit is interesting, quite puritan. Nothing much else to see, unlike Acton Burnell Church.
If you go to the Acton Burnell Church and Castle, if folk outside the school wonder what you're doing, just say you're looking for the church and castle, and hang a right on the lane, Infront of the school gates and security, loads of space to park, and explore as long as you wish.
After driving from Langley, not far away from Acton Burnell, there's an amazing Medieval into Elizabethan gatehouse like hall towards the east. We had a hare jump out infront of the car, and slowly followed it for about a mile, until it found a bolt hole, really amazing experience. I'm from South Cheshire, and it's rare you see a hare.
We then went to Wroxeter Roman City, and walked from the EH car park, to Wroxeter Church. I really recommend going there, even if you don't want to go to the Roman City ruins and pay for the EH car park, drive thru it to the church, and park up, and visit. Roman remains, amazing ornate chest tombs with original paint, font made out of a Roman pillar capital, and just a really amazing church, with Far more than I can fit on here to see!
Thanks again Third Rate Content, I love following your no messing about explorations, and have quite a few places to visit, or revisit, hopefully when the weather improves this year, thanks bro! 👍
Church Roulette, I think we all have experienced that, and it's a great term lol! And yep, sometimes you can go to a church, and even after multiple visits, you always find something you have never spotted before!
Seek and Ye Shall Find! 👍😁👍
Thank you! Also thank you for contributing to the video with your detailed description of the interior.
Yes Acton Burnell is a fascinating church, and a fascinating place in general. Also very haunted according to some neighbours of mine who work in the college there. Tales of ghost dogs and other things lol. I’ve been considering revisiting Acton Burnell as we did it ages ago on much poorer equipment 🤔 Also we did visit Wroxeter church last summer. Haven’t been to the city yet tho. Again thanks for the super comment 👍👍
the bbc survivors programme was filmed at
hampton court in herefordshire, def worth checking out sometime in 2025... as suggestion...
Very interesting indeed 🤔
Are there any drawings of Langley Hall?
I couldn’t find any. Tho plenty drawings and photos of the gatehouse. The gatehouse is still standing and can be rented from the Landmark Trust