Shere Travel Guide

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Shere's parish church is well worth a visit. Much of St James' dates back to the year 1190, though there have been a few additions since then. As you enter, pick up one of the information sheets which gives you full details of all the interesting features of the church. The inside is tastefully decorated, with lovely arches and wood panelled ceilings, along with some attractive stained glass windows.

Outside, look up to admire the "fine brooch spire" and you can also take a wander amongst the grave stones. Perhaps you will encounter one of the resident rabbits helping to mow the grass.

The church is famous for the story of the anchoress, Christine Carpenter, who back in 1329 had herself enclosed in a cell within the wall of the church for three years. Madness.

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Near Shere, well within walking distance is the silent pool

This lake is linked with a ghostly legend that dates back to Saxon times.

The legend tells of a woodcutter who lived in the forest that surrounded the lake with his beloved son and daughter. One day, the woodcutter's daughter, who was a beautiful young woman called Emma, went bathing in the lake. As she was doing so, she was disturbed by the sound of a horse and rider approaching. She had no time to return to the bank to dress, so she waded to the deepest part of the lake to cover her naked body. The stranger on horseback arrived at the lakeside, and seeing the beautiful woman, tried to lure her out of the water. The man frightened Emma, and she continued to wade deeper and deeper into the lake. This angered the stranger, and he rode his horse into the lake after the screaming maiden. Her brother, who had been working in the forest, heard her cries of distress and ran to the lake to rescue her. The young man desperately tried to drag his sister from the water, but he could barely swim himself. The deep water engulfed them both, and they drowned together at the bottom of the deep lake. The stranger galloped away from the water and disappeared into the forest.

The woodcutter searched for his beloved children for days on end, until one afternoon, he dragged their bodies from the water. It is believed that the wicked horseman was Prince John, Regent of Britain, who was known for his evil deeds.

The ghost of the drowned maiden still haunts the lake to this day. Some have seen the pale figure floating on the surface of the water, others have heard her dying screams and pleas for help. The lake's eerie calmness sends shivers down the spines of many visitors, and hence it has come to be known as the Silent Pool.

Its a really nice walk.

St James Church, which was built in 1190, can be found in the centre of the village of Shere. The church has a Norman tower and its lychgate was designed by the British architect, Edward Landseer Lutyens in 1901. The church is one of the attractions on the Pilgrim’s Way and is famous for the story of the anchoress, In 1329 Christine the Anchoress, who was the daughter of Edward the Carpenter, caused a bit of a stir in the village when she wanted to carry chastity and Godly obedience to an extreme that is very hard to comprehend in this day and age. She got her own way when the Bishop of Winchester granted her permission to be incarcerated in a cell that was barely big enough to take her small frame. The only contact with the outside world being a squint and an aperture through which her food was passed. She remained here for three years until deciding that she needed a break, the Bishop eventually consenting and allowing her to emerge into the sunlight. But later she did return to her self-imposed solitude and although the outcome is not recorded it is presumed she stayed there in captivity until she died.

The church also is mentioned in the doomsday book

This is a marvelous old church and well worth a visit.

this drinking fountain was presented to the village of Shere by two teetotal maiden ladies, as an alternative to the alcohol served at the White Horse.