Church of St Michael, Buckland Dinham

The Church of St Michael stands in the quiet village of Buckland Dinham, Somerset, on a gentle rise above the River Frome. Built of local stone, its nave and chancel date from about 1200, with a south chapel and porch added soon after. In 1325 a north chapel was added, and in 1480 a further chapel and the west tower were completed. The tower rises above the rooftops, marking the skyline of the village. Late in the 19th century the whole building was restored to preserve its medieval lines. The church is listed Grade I for its historic importance. Inside, the nave and chancel still show their early 13th-century arches and windows. The north chapel of 1325 contains a fine tomb recess, while the tower chapel of 1480 has a ribbed ceiling. Six bells hang in the tower, silent for decades until a restoration project in the 1990s brought them back to life. One new bell came from St Paul’s Church in Bristol to complete the ring. The church belongs to the Mells with Buckland Dinham benefice, part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Visitors step from the lane into a small churchyard shaded by yews. The south porch shelters a carved sundial above the door. Inside, the wide nave leads to the chancel with its restored roof. The north chapel holds a plain 14th-century tomb, and the tower chapel shows its fan vaulting. The six bells stand ready in the ringing chamber, evidence of the 1990s restoration. The village lanes around the church lead to the river and open fields beyond.