Church of St Giles, Stoke Poges

The Church of St Giles in Stoke Poges is a medieval house of worship with a 13th-century tower and walls of flint and stone. The Tudor-style Hastings Chapel stands on the south side, while tiled roofs cover the entire building.

The building arose around 1150 as a Norman village church. The Hastings family added their chapel in 1558, and George Edmund Street led extensive work to preserve the site in the 19th century.

The poet Thomas Gray spent many hours in this churchyard and wrote his famous poem about country graves here. His own burial place lies beside his mother's in the graveyard, which still draws visitors from around the world.

The churchyard is freely accessible and offers itself for quiet walks. Parking is available nearby, and the grounds suit visitors arriving on foot or by bicycle.

Nineteen funeral hatchments hang inside and recall burials from earlier centuries. The building served as a backdrop in several films, including a James Bond adventure and the final work with Judy Garland.

Location: Stoke Poges

Inception: 12 century

Website: https://stokepogeschurch.org

GPS coordinates: 51.53500,-0.59500

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25