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St Georges church, Goltho
This is the site of the Deserted Medieval Village known as Goltho. Archaeological evidence shows this area was first occupied during the Roman period. People settled here again in the Anglo-Saxon period and by the 12th century a thriving village was firmly established, growing to 37 crofts occupied by mud and stud houses, with metalled roads, drainage ditches and a blacksmith’s shop. By the beginning of the 15th century, however, much of the site had been abandoned.
This internationally famous site was partially excavated in the 1970’s, when work focussed on both the village and the manor site.

St George’s is the only surviving building on the site. There is archaeological evidence of an earlier substantial stone built church underneath the one that stands here today. Remains of tombstones inset in the floor indicate that there was a chapel on the site by the mid 13th century. The nave probably dates from the 16th century with an 18th century chancel, and its bellcote is Victorian By 1900 the church was converted to use only as a mortuary chapel.
Today, St George’s is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Update: Sadly, the church was gutted by fire on 21st October 2013. Its future is uncertain.

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