About Us

The Church of Saint Thomas à Becket, South Cadbury lies in the shadow of the Iron Age hill fort Cadbury Castle, and on the Leyland Trail popular with walkers.  South Cadbury is one of nine parishes forming the Camelot Parishes.

The dedication is to Saint Thomas à Becket martyred in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.  Its first recorded Rector, Peter de Brug, was instituted in 1265, when the cult of Saint Thomas was at its height, and the early wall painting of a Bishop in cape and mitre in the Church may represent Saint Thomas himself.

The building, thought to date from the 13th or 14th century, and rebuilt and remodelled in the 15th and 19th centuries, boasts a piscina and squint, 19th century font and reredos depicting the Crucifixion, some fine stained glass and a peal of 6 bells also dating from the 19th century (the 6th being added as a war memorial in 1946).

Outside, the Churchyard commands far reaching views to the North, and has 3 much admired mature trees, a Yew, a Ginko and a Tulip.  It is said that the custom of playing Fives against the Church wall was stopped in 1771, but the custom of tying the Churchyard gate whilst a wedding is taking place, thus obliging the Groom to lift his new Bride over the gate as they leave, is still observed.

Parishioners help with cleaning, maintenance and floral decoration in the Church, and gardening in the Churchyard.

Visitors are always welcome to the regular Communion and Evensong Services, including a weekday Communion Service on the second Tuesday in each month.  The bells are rung for Evensong by the group of Ringers who practise in the Church each week.

[More information can be found on the South Cadbury page of the Camelot Parishes website.]