Tiny chapel reveals its architectural delights

7:54pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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A HISTORICAL oddity in Wiltshire has opened for public viewing.

The historic 11th Century pilgrims' chapel at Chapel Plaister stands on the B3190 Bradford on Avon to Corsham road - once a key route into the west country, just north of the Fiveways crossroads.

It had served as a hospice for pilgrims travelling to Glastonbury to visit the shrine of Joseph of Arimathea.

After the Reformation the chapel served more secular uses until it was restored in 1899.

It has been a place of worship ever since and forms part of Box Parish.

Every year visitors from all over the country flock to see the chapel, regarded by some as one of Wiltshire's architectural gems.

Although it is used for Sunday worship it usually remains closed for the rest of the week.

But the seasonal opening of the chapel has proved a hit with visitors in the past.

So it will again be open for viewing on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm until September 24.