Nominal: 718 Hz Weight: 1240 lbs Diameter: 42" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1910
Dove Bell ID: 4380 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Malmesbury Abbey: St Peter & St Paul
Diocese of Bristol
Major Parish Church, 605210
http://www.malmesburyabbey.comThis church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2025-11-06)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: ST 932 873
The Grade I Listed Abbey, has served as a parish church since 1542 when Archbishop Cranmer granted a licence to the people of Malmesbury for the conversion the nave of the dissolved Malmesbury Abbey into a parish church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 1070 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church comprises the 6 bays (of the original 9-bayed) nave, north and south aisles of the C12th Benedictine Abbey, significantly restored in 1820s and in the early C20th. The attached arch and south transept wall ruin (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) are all that remains of the Tower (with a spire once higher than that of Salisbury Cathedral) and East End which collapsed in the late C15th.
Notable surviving features include the internationally significant C12th south porch with its Norman arch depicting Bible stories and sculptures of Christ in Majesty with the early Apostles on each side, remains of the C12th West Front, the C13th watching loft and C14th memorial tomb of King Athelstan, who became the first king of a united England in 925AD. the use of pointed arches and vaults in the aisles is structurally advanced and transitional with Early Gothic, and links Malmesbury with subsequent West Country churches, but the carving is Anglo Saxon in character.
Building Materials
Bath Stone
12th Century
Bath Stone
Limestone
12th Century
Limestone Tiles
Interior
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
made by JohnSmith & Sons from Derby
Bells
Nominal: 1441 Hz Weight: 494 lbs Diameter: 26.38" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1951
Dove Bell ID: 30326 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1351 Hz Weight: 502 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1951
Dove Bell ID: 30327 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1205 Hz Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 27.63" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1951
Dove Bell ID: 30328 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1077 Hz Weight: 508 lbs Diameter: 29.25" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Thomas Gefferies
Dove Bell ID: 30329 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 955.5 Hz Weight: 610 lbs Diameter: 31.38" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Roger I Purdue 1610
Dove Bell ID: 30330 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 898 Hz Weight: 830 lbs Diameter: 35.75" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Llewellins & James 1896
Dove Bell ID: 30331 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 806.5 Hz Weight: 960 lbs Diameter: 37.75" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1910
Dove Bell ID: 30332 Tower ID: 14788 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 932 873
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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