Visit to St Peter’s, Offord D’Arcy

The Church and Churchyard: St Peter’s, a Grade I listed church dating from the Norman times with notable monuments and brasses, is at the end of a long drive, set apart from the village of Offord D’Arcy. Since 1978 its care has been vested in the Churches Conservation Trust and today it is looked after by the Friends of St Peter’s who have taken on the upkeep of the church and its churchyard. Following a rethink of how best to maintain the churchyard, when ‘looking neat’ was no longer desirable or practical, the Friends developed a programme of works to improve biodiversity, whilst enabling the churchyard to be used as a community ‘green space’ and maintaining access for visitors. Environmental improvements were introduced to provide shelter and food for wildlife and a start was made on introducing wildflowers and creating an environment for them. This work, partly funded by CGT, has won a Wildlife Trust award. The wildflower areas will be enriched in 2026 with seed from King’s College. We will end the afternoon with a visit to the garden of CGT member Janet Bedingfield, which features ornamental planting as well as old fruit trees and a kitchen garden.

Time: meet at 2:00pm; visit ends 4:30pm.

Logistics: please park at the entrance to the drive where it meets the High Street. Blue Badge holders can be dropped off at the far end of the drive near the Church but cars must return and park with the other cars.

Please note: the drive is in poor condition and the grass verges are bumpy, so do take care. In the churchyard, please keep to pathways as badgers and rabbits are very active and the ground can be uneven.

CGT members Julie Angell and Janet Bedingfield (from Friends of St. Peter’s) will give us a guided tour of the churchyard and explain what has been achieved and plans for the future. Following the tour, we will have an opportunity to see inside the church and Liz Howes, also one of the Friends of St Peter’s, will give a short talk about the church and a tour of its notable features.

Janet’s garden will be open from 3.00pm, where we will have an opportunity to explore, followed by tea, coffee and cakes to round off the afternoon. Her garden is a few minutes’ walk away, or people can drive and park close by. Directions will be given on the day.

Bookings: £14 for members of CGT and the Plant Heritage Group, £16 for guests, by BACS transfer to our new bank account in the name of Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust (sort code 30-99-50, account number 80635768) using ‘Offord’ and your name as reference; please confirm payment by email to admin. Cheques, payable to Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust, may be sent to Judith Christie, Teal Cottage, Fen Drayton CB24 4SH. Booking deadline 12 October for catering.

We look forward to seeing you there!