The Gloucestershire village of Deerhurst, just 9 miles from Gloucester and 2.5 miles from Tewkesbury, boasts two historic religious sites: a Saxon parish church that is still in use and Odda's Chapel, a Saxon chapel managed by English Heritage.

History of Odda's Chapel

Odda's Chapel was built in 1056 by Odda, a relative of King Edward the Confessor, in honor of his brother Aelfric. It lay neglected until the 20th century, when the plaster that had long covered the Saxon masonry was removed.

What to See at Odda's Chapel

The chapel is a simple rectangular stone building, just 40 feet long. A half-timbered cottage with two storeys clings to the east end of the building.

Odda's Chapel incorporates many typical Anglo-Saxon features, including "long-and-short" corner stones, double-splayed windows and tall proportions.

A copy of the dedicatory inscription from Odda, discovered in 1675, is on display inside the chapel. The original stone is in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

A footpath across the lane from Odda's Chapel leads across a field to the peaceful River Severn.

Quick Facts on Odda's Chapel

Site Information
Names:	Odda's Chapel
Categories:	chapels; churches
Styles:	Anglo-Saxon Era
Dates:	1056
Status:	museum
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	51.966947° N, 2.191834° W
Address:	Deerhurst, England
Lodging:	View hotels near Odda's Chapel

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Personal visit (October 15, 2007).
2. The Rough Guide to England 7 (May 2006), 376.

More Information

• Photos of Odda's Chapel - here on Sacred Destinations