Shared description
Roche: Rock and Chapel
Roche Rock is a group of quartz-schorl outcrops on a small hill to the south of the village of Roche. Built dramatically on top of the largest outcrop is the former Chapel of St Michael.
The name "Roche" (pronounced "Roach") comes from the Norman French for Rock, thus the geographical feature gives its name to the village, making Roche Rock something of a tautology, or alternatively "so good they had to name it twice"!
The composition of the rock is a fine example of quartz schorl, being a mixture of grey quartz with black tourmaline (schorl). It is of considerable interest to geologists.
The main outcrop rises about 20m (66') from the top of the hill and is surrounded by smaller outcrops creating an unusual and intricate landscape.
Sitting on top of this rock and seeming to grow directly from it is the ruined Chapel of St Michael. This little building was licensed in 1409 and it is thought that it was the abode of a hermit, monk or possibly a leper (or perhaps a combination of these). Originally there were stone steps leading up to the chapel from the base of the rock, but these were removed by the local lord of the manor for a house that he was building! However access to this historic little structure is still possible as an iron ladder has been set into the rock allowing visitors to enter the lower chamber. A second affixed metal ladder then leads up to the higher level. It is not too strenuous a climb and worth it for the views from the top.
The chapel is Grade I listed by Historic England: Link
And is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument: Link
The name "Roche" (pronounced "Roach") comes from the Norman French for Rock, thus the geographical feature gives its name to the village, making Roche Rock something of a tautology, or alternatively "so good they had to name it twice"!
The composition of the rock is a fine example of quartz schorl, being a mixture of grey quartz with black tourmaline (schorl). It is of considerable interest to geologists.
The main outcrop rises about 20m (66') from the top of the hill and is surrounded by smaller outcrops creating an unusual and intricate landscape.
Sitting on top of this rock and seeming to grow directly from it is the ruined Chapel of St Michael. This little building was licensed in 1409 and it is thought that it was the abode of a hermit, monk or possibly a leper (or perhaps a combination of these). Originally there were stone steps leading up to the chapel from the base of the rock, but these were removed by the local lord of the manor for a house that he was building! However access to this historic little structure is still possible as an iron ladder has been set into the rock allowing visitors to enter the lower chamber. A second affixed metal ladder then leads up to the higher level. It is not too strenuous a climb and worth it for the views from the top.
The chapel is Grade I listed by Historic England: Link
And is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument: Link
by Rob Farrow
Created: Tue, 5 Sep 2023, Updated: Mon, 11 Sep 2023
22 images use this description: (all images taken in 2023)
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