Itchen Stoke ~ Standing in a prominent position above the village is the 19th century church of St. Mary the Virgin whose design was based upon the La Sainte Chapelle in Paris. Although the church is no longer used for regular worship the building and grounds are in beautiful condition and now in the care of the Redundant Churches Fund. The fund was set up by Parliament and the Church Assembly in 1969, its aim to preserve churches of the Church of England no longer used for regular worship, but were of historic, architectural or archaeological interest. Opposite the church and next to the village green is Water Lane, this ancient lane leads to a bridge over the River Itchen and a once important ford accross the river. Near the bottom of the lane is a small space for car parking. |