Chapel Ascote

Chapel Ascote is a small civil parish in Warwickshire, south of Ladbroke near the A423 road. It lies between Bishop’s Itchington to the west and the village of Stratford-on-Avon to the north. The parish covers quiet farmland and a single field where a medieval mound still stands. The name has changed over centuries, first recorded as *Astanescote* in the 12th century before becoming *Ascote* and later *Chappell Ascott*. Local historians suggest the name may come from *Ēadstan’s cote* or *Aelfstan’s cottages*, a man once granted land nearby. The most striking feature is the remains of the medieval Chapel of St Helen. Archaeologists found a 20-metre-long, 10-metre-wide mound in a field, marking the chapel’s former site. Records show the chapel existed by 1208 but was abandoned by 1595 and demolished in 1632. Drainage work in the field uncovered skeletons from the medieval period, hinting at its use as a burial ground. Visitors to Chapel Ascote walk through open countryside where the chapel’s ruins once stood. The field with the mound is the main point of interest, offering a quiet spot to reflect on the parish’s long history. The surrounding area remains largely rural, with gentle fields and few distractions. A nearby Met Office forecast service covers the adjacent village of Bishop’s Itchington, useful for planning a visit. The parish itself has only 18 residents, giving it a peaceful, almost forgotten feel.