Inside Hampshire’s hidden Norman church buried beneath the ground

Behind the barn at Moon Roast coffee roasters lies an historic site: a graveyard with a raised stone platform- the remains of a buried Norman church.

The site was once home to St Nicholas Church, which fell into disrepair in 1845 and was demolished in 1878 due to structural problems and changing parish needs.

While the church above ground disappeared, the crypt beneath remained intact.

The crypt dates from around 1100 and was once part of a Norman church.

The first recorded mention of St Nicholas, the larger church later built above the crypt, dates from 1291.

Following the church's demolition, the crypt was largely forgotten until local resident William Spiers, who remembered playing among the ruins as a child, discovered the site.

Reverend E.P. Gough, then rector, investigated, and an excavation in 1927 revealed the crypt was still remarkably well preserved.

The church of St Nicholas after excavation in 1932

The dig also uncovered a 12th-century font, burial slab and stone tomb.

The slab bears the inscription: "Here lies John of Candover, God have mercy on his soul."

It is believed the John referred to may be John d'Andeley, a descendant of Richard d'Andeley, who held the Manor of Chilton in 1086.

The crypt remains consecrated, and an outdoor Evensong service is held there each year to maintain its religious status.

A plaque at the Buried Church

In 1562, John Fyssher purchased the manor and is said to have destroyed the village, leaving only the church and a farm.

He was recorded as being responsible for the ‘depopulation of the village’, and the only existence of the village is now the earthworks near the ruin.

After passing through several hands, the manor was bought by Alexander Baring in 1818; he later became Lord Ashburton.

Baring’s family helped found Hong Kong trading house Dent & Co, which later became Barings Bank.

Drone footage for this article was taken by Robin Shale.