St Hubert's Church, Idsworth

Kit Used

• Fujifilm XT-2
• TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4
• F.Zuiko 50mm f/2

04/02/26

St Hubert’s Church is tucked away in Idsworth, near Rowlands Castle, between the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. You wouldn’t stumble across it by accident—it’s hidden in the middle of a field at the end of a waterlogged track.

Getting there meant crossing a small bridge over flooded ground, then walking up the hill. Bit of an adventure just to reach it.

The surrounding landscape is gorgeous. It’s the sort of place that would look stunning in summer with wildflowers everywhere, but even in February there’s a stillness to it that I found quite calming.

A Bit of History

The church dates back to at least 1053, when it was mentioned in the last testament of Godwin, Earl of Wessex. He granted it to his son, Harold Godwinson—who later became King Harold. The building itself is Saxo-Norman, so it’s been standing here for the best part of a thousand years.

It wasn’t always called St Hubert’s though. The original dedication was to St Peter. The name changed in the 1860s when medieval wall paintings were discovered inside—more on those later.

The really fascinating bit is that Idsworth used to be a village, but it was deserted sometime at the end of the 14th century, quite possibly wiped out by the plague. All trace of it has gone now, buried under the plough. Just the church remains.

There’s a bench outside where you can take in the sunshine and just sit for a while. Sheep wander through the churchyard, completely unbothered.

Inside

The door was open when I visited, so I had a look around. The interior is simple—whitewashed walls, wooden pews, afternoon light streaming through the windows.

The light hitting the altar caught my eye. Soft and golden, the kind you’d struggle to recreate.

The medieval wall paintings from the 1330s are the real treasure. They’re considered the most important series in a Hampshire church outside Winchester. The art had been covered up during Henry VIII’s reformation with layers of whitewash, hidden for centuries until Reverend J. Astley had them uncovered in 1864. When they found them, they assumed the paintings depicted St Hubert’s life—hence the name change.

Around the Churchyard

Back outside, I spotted a bee on one of the early flowers. Surprising to see them out in February.

The roads in were underwater in places. Had to pick my way through some deep puddles. Made it feel like I’d earned the visit though.

St Hubert’s is Grade I Listed, and it deserves it. If you’re after somewhere quiet with a bit of history, it’s worth the wet feet.

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Sources:

• St Hubert’s Church Idsworth – Hampshire History
• Idsworth St Hubert | National Churches Trust
• Idsworth - Wikipedia