St. Mary’s Church, Tarrant Hinton. NGR: ST93621 11162, Lat:50.8999, Long:-2.0921.Lead Author:JT

There has been a church on this site since the 13th century, but only a few pieces of Norman stonework remain. The church belonged to Shaftesbury Abbey, and the Upper Greensand for the walls came from their quarries in the 14th century for the nave, 15th century for the tower and south aisle. 

1. St. Mary’s from the south east. The walls are banded flint and Upper Greensand, the tower of Upper Greensand ashlar.

2. The nave and chancel from the south, the chancel windows are of Ham Hill Stone, and dated 1263.

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​The north chapel was added in the 16th century, and alterations and restoration were carried out
during the 19th century, when the Shaftesbury quarries were still working. 

3. The eastern chancel window is also Ham Hill Stone, and original.

4. The north chapel is built of Upper Greensand ashlar, but the nave of banded flint and Greensand.

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​The three-stage west tower is entirely Greensand ashlar, but the remaining walls are banded Flint and Greensand. The changing workmanship of the banding illustrates the different dates of the building. 

5. The tower is also Upper Greensand ashlar.

6. From the south the Upper Greensand ashlar is clearer.

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7. The south porch has banded walls, with Upper Greensand crenulations and arch.

8. The bare stone walls of the interior show the banding of flint in this view to the west.

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9. The view to the east shows the chancel arch of Upper Greensand, with Bath Stone capitals to the supporting columns.

10. A closer view of the capitals and supporting columns, also Upper Greensand.

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​The most notable feature of the church is the Easter Sepulchre, on the north wall of the chancel. This is dated 1520, and built of Caen Stone. The 12th century square font is of Purbeck Marble.

11. The Easter Sepulchre was built of Caen stone and dated 1520.

12. The 12th century font is Purbeck Marble

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Text and images ​JT 18.5.2018