Church of St Aldhelm and St Eadburgha, Broadway

The Church of St Aldhelm and St Eadburgha stands in a quiet field on the edge of Broadway village in Somerset. Built in the 13th century, it is one of only two churches in England dedicated to St Eadburgha, granddaughter of King Alfred. The dedication to St Aldhelm, a 7th-century scholar and bishop, adds to its unusual history. The church was given Grade I listed status by English Heritage, recognising its national importance. A 13th-century churchyard cross still stands in the graveyard beside the building. The church’s isolated position may date back to a time when villagers avoided the area during the plague. The church’s dual dedication reflects a blend of early and later traditions. St Eadburgha’s relics were moved to Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire after her death, where a cult grew around her. Most churches named after her are found near Pershore, making Broadway’s dedication unusual. The name appears in older records as St Aldelme, showing how spellings changed over centuries. Confusion with another 7th-century saint, Edburga of Bicester, is common but incorrect. The wooden bier inside still carries the marks of past funeral rites. Inside, the church keeps the original wooden bier used for funerals long ago. The 13th-century cross in the churchyard stands as a reminder of the period when the church was built. The building itself is simple, with no village crowding around it. The quiet setting and historic details make it a place where history can still be felt. Visitors walk past the cross and into the church, where the past remains visible in wood and stone.