Churchyard Mugs

A little kitch fairy statue in dry grass next to a tombstone, Somerset, England

A dark and dramatic watercolour of an English churchyard, for all fans of Gothic horror.

In the near South Queensferry, Scotland, there is a fine collection of old gravestones on view. Many date back to the 1600s, before widespread literacy, so carry pictures rather than words. Common symbols include emblems of mortality such as skulls and bones or hourglasses; or emblems of immortality like angels, cherubs or doves. Also on show are symbols of the trade of the buried person, like an anvil and horseshoe for a blacksmith; or a rolling pin and baps for a baker. Abercorn Parish Church is a remarkable place. But even though a small part of it can be dated back to the 1100s, what you can see today is only part of the story. There are clues to an even longer history in the collection of stones on view in the Abercorn Museum.

In the churchyard at Abercorn Church near South Queensferry, Scotland, there is a fine collection of old gravestones on view. Many date back to the 1600s, before widespread literacy, so carry pictures rather than words. Common symbols include emblems of mortality such as skulls and bones or hourglasses; or emblems of immortality like angels, cherubs or doves. Also on show are symbols of the trade of the buried person, like an anvil and horseshoe for a blacksmith; or a rolling pin and baps for a baker. Abercorn Parish Church is a remarkable place. But even though a small part of it can be dated back to the 1100s, what you can see today is only part of the story. There are clues to an even longer history in the collection of stones on vi...

Churchyard,Bamford,England.

Care is needed walking through churchyards and woodlands at this time of year as snowdrops slowly appear from beneath the carpet of fallen leaves to herald the start of Spring.

The "false spring" is a favourite seasonal period because a popular churchyard, isolated in the middle of the countryside, has an abundance of snowdrops that bloom without fail each year, which many locals go to see. With the sunshine to make each moment sweeter, it's a beautiful highlight signalling the end of winter. LOCATION: The snowdrops can be seen in the yard of the parish church of Saint Cosmas & Saint Damian(Challock Church) located in idyllic isolation on the North Downs, one mile from the large and modern village of Challock. Challock is a civil parish in the Borough of Ashford, which is a part of the county of Kent commonly known as the Garden of England. United Kingdom.

Taken in Filey, a seaside town in North Yorkshire,UK.

An old half-timbered cottage nestling in a corner of the churchyard of the 11th century parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Bucklebury, West Berkshire. A tranquil and traditional English summer scene.

A sunny afternoon walk in the "false spring" was blessed with churchyard snowdrops in full bloom. Like bluebells in a forest, these white flowers always give a delightful character to the grounds they grow on. LOCATION: The snowdrops can be seen in the yard of the parish church of Saint Cosmas & Saint Damian(Challock Church) located in idyllic isolation on the North Downs, one mile from the large and modern village of Challock. Challock is a civil parish in the Borough of Ashford, which is a part of the county of Kent commonly known as the Garden of England. United Kingdom. SOME FACTS: While snowdrops are known to bloom between January and March, the ones in Challock Church normally reach their prime in early February.

This close-up of fully bloomed snowdrops was a very fortunate moment. Not only snow and flowers are a rare thing but also snow in general has become both uncertain and unpredictable in South East England. LOCATION: The snowdrops can be seen in the yard of the parish church of Saint Cosmas & Saint Damian(Challock Church) located in idyllic isolation on the North Downs, one mile from the large and modern village of Challock. Challock is a civil parish in the Borough of Ashford, which is a part of the county of Kent commonly known as the Garden of England. United Kingdom. SOME FACTS: While snowdrops are known to bloom between January and March, the ones in Challock Church normally reach their prime in early February.

Wood engraving by Wanda Gág, 1934.

Looking across the churchyard to the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The buildings of this Grade 1 listed church date from the C12th but have, of course undergone periods of restoration. Here we are looking at the east end and the apsidal chancel. Inside, the Rood Screen is made of timber from HMS Thunderer, one of Nelson's ships at Trafalgar.

St Peter's Churchyard Fyfield, Essex. HDR created from one RAW file processed as three DNG files in Photomatix, adjustments in CS6 with some help from Topaz filters. Nikon D7200 with Sigma 10-20 zoom.

Fireflies dancing between the graves

Spring flowers are scattered through the fresh green grass in the churchyard at St Laurence church at Tidmarsh in Berkshire, England. This Grade 1 listed C12th church with its unusual wooden bell cote has a superbly decorated Norman doorway, a Norman font and C13th lancet windows. The box pews lead to an unusual polygonal apse. There are also traces of C13th wall paintings in two window recesses. Just beyond the church the River Pang flows on its way to join the Thames at Pangbourne.

During one winter, a local churchyard in South East England was blessed with light snowfall to help make the grounds whiter than the snowdrops could alone. What made the moment special was both the increasingly rare snow in the region and the very rare combination of snow and flowers. A true blessing indeed. LOCATION: The snowdrops can be seen in the yard of the parish church of Saint Cosmas & Saint Damian(Challock Church) located in idyllic isolation on the North Downs, one mile from the large and modern village of Challock. Challock is a civil parish in the Borough of Ashford, which is a part of the county of Kent commonly known as the Garden of England. United Kingdom.

The churchyard of Holy Trinity Church in the Thameside village of Cookham in the north-east corner of Berkshire, England. Captured on a sunny but cold and breezy day in early springtime, snowdrops are scattered among the tombstones. The church dates from the C12th with additions added during the C13th. Sir Stanley Spencer, the renowned artist (1891-1959) who lived in the village, set many of his paintings in the locality, this churchyard being the setting of 'The Resurrection' (1924-7). Nikon 7100; Nikkor 18-200VR

A Church and Churchyard near a River or Lake, with an Extensive Landscape Beyond, 1796-97 artwork t shirt

A book sculpture of a lonely figure in a spooky churchyard.

The Church of England parish church of St Mary is very late Saxon with later additions and listed in the top of the three heritage/architecture categories, Grade I. Its main material is random (cobblestone) and coursed rubble limestone with a slate roof.

Churchyard at All Saints' Church, Chelsworth in Suffolk

Old ornately carved Celtic cross in Edinburgh cemetery

Christ Church is located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It was designed by John Wren and built between 1767 and 1773 by John Carlyle. George Washington and Robert E Lee are just two of the famous attendees of this historic Episcopal Church. Among the burials in the church cemetery is the mass grave of thirty-four Confederate prisoners of war who died in the local prison camps during the Civil War.

The church of St Mary the Virgin on the edge of the village of Aldworth in West Berkshire. Parts of it date back to c.1200. Inside are the 'Aldworth Giants' - effigies on the tombs of the De La Beche family dating from medieval times. They are supposedly life size - but some of the knights are over 7ft! Many of these were damaged by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War. The village of Aldworth sits above the Thames Valley on the Berkshire Downs. The image is finished as a pastel painting.

Looking across the churchyard to the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The buildings of this Grade 1 listed church date from the C12th but have, of course, undergonr periods of restoration. Here we are looking at the east end and the apsidal chancel. Inside, the Rood Screen is made of timber from HMS Thunderer, one of Nelson's ships at Trafalgar.

This design contains the illustration of a heartbeat with pallbearers carrying a coffin.

The church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Hampstead Norreys in West Berkshire depicted here as a pastel drawing. This lovely church sits in the centre of the village next to the road which leads to Newbury. It's a Grade 1 listed Norman church close to the remains of a motte-and-bailey Norman castle. The church, dating from the C12th was largely rebuilt in the C13th. The tower is C15th.

The church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Hampstead Norreys in West Berkshire depicted as an oil painting. This lovely church sits in the centre of the village next to the road which leads to Newbury. It's a Grade 1 listed Norman church close to the remains of a motte-and-bailey Norman castle. A blue plaque in the churchyard tells us that the village was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Hanstede'. The church, dating from the C12th was largely rebuilt in the C13th. The tower is C15th.

The church of St Mary sits squarely in the centre of the village of Kingclere in north Hampshire. It dates from about 1120-40 - its Norman origins being clearly seen in its square tower, cruciform plan and small round-headed windows. The circular staircase turret can also be seen in this view. The Church was, however, extensively rebuilt in the C19th - apparently to recreate it as it was in the C12th. The village can trace its history to King Alfred's time as it was mentioned in his will.

The church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Hampstead Norreys in West Berkshire. This lovely church sits in the centre of the village next to the road which leads to Newbury. It's a Grade 1 listed Norman church close to the remains of a motte-and-bailey Norman castle. A blue plaque in the churchyard tells us that the village was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Hanstede'. The church, dating from the C12th was largely rebuilt in the C13th. The tower is C15th.

The church of St Nicholas in the village of Sulham in West Berkshire, England. It forms a third of the joint parish of Pangbourne, Tidmarsh and Sulham. The church is in the centre of the village standing next to Sulham House. Originally dating from the C13th , it was rebuilt between 1836 and 1838 by Rev John Wilder, vice provost of Eton College who lived in Sulham House. Originally the tower was topped by a tall spire but this was removed in 1959. In early spring the churchyard is awash with crocuses. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The church of St Mary sits squarely in the centre of the village of Kingclere in north Hampshire. It dates from about 1120-40 - its Norman origins being clearly seen in its square tower, cruciform plan and small round-headed windows. The Church was, however, extensively rebuilt in the C19th - apparently to recreate it as it was in the C12th. The village can trace its history to King Alfred's time as it was mentioned in his will.

The parish church of Holy Cross at Shipton on Cherwell in Oxfordshire, England. The present church was built in 1831 after the previous building had been demolished. However, there has been a church here since the C12th - and a Saxon font gives a hint to a longer history. Originally named Holy Cross, in the C18th it was changed to St Mary and then to St Jerome before reverting to its original name. Shipton is in the Cherwell valley, the canal arriving in 1788, passing closely by the churchyard. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

This planting of tulips was spotted in a churchyard in Blyth, Northumberland. The early evening light and weak sunshine gave the image a happy feel with colours of green, yellow and red filling the frame.

St Andrew's Church at Aysgarth in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. It sits just to the south of the River Ure as it tumbles over Aygarth Falls. The church dates back to medieval times but was rebuilt in 1536, the date of the beginning of Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. Then in 1866 it was extensively restored having apparently fallen into considerable disrepair. It is now a Grade2 listed building. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200