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Archaeology, Sites to See

Thundridgebury Manorial Site, Near Ware

Thundridgebury manorial site, Thundridgebury, near Ware. This site includes a very large dry D-shaped moated enclosure which measures about 195m x 200m, and contains the ruins of the 15th century church of St Mary and All Saints, and the remains of Thundridgebury House and its outbuildings. This building, first mentioned in 1535, may have succeeded an earlier manor house on the site, and its location is indicated by a series of brick foundations and part of a brick buttress. In 1811 the property was sold to Daniel Giles, the MP for St Albans, and he demolished the house except for a hearth and chimney stack. This apparent omission was in fact calculated, for the retention of the hearth meant he kept the right to a pew in the adjacent parish church, just west of the house. The church was demolished in 1853 and all that remains is the ruined west tower, which contains a re-used Norman doorway and a 14th century window - evidence that the 15th century building succeeded an earlier one on the site. The ruins are surrounded by the disused graveyard, which contains many burials dating to the medieval and later periods.

From the A10 at Thundridge/Wadesmill, turn right into Old Church Lane. The lane becomes a track after about 1/3 of a mile, at its junction with the road to Cold Christmas; either park here, and walk along to the church, or drive up the track. The site lies on the left hand side, between the road and the River Rib. A footpath down to the river from the church crosses some of the site. TL 3682 1734.

Map showing Thundridgebury Manorial Site