‘Hidden away on the grounds of the historic St Edward’s Church Stow-on-the-Wold is a mystical doorway that looks like a portal that could transport you to another realm.
With its studded wooden panels flanked by ancient yew trees and an old oil lamp hanging above it, you would be forgiven for mistaking this door for being something born of Middle Earth.
Indeed, there is a local legend that says J. R. R. Tolkien visited this church and the entrance inspired his Doors of Durin in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
It’s no secret that the ancient and magical yew trees of Britain have guided us for centuries and are shrouded in an air of mystery. In fact, you’ll find most ancient yews in churchyards as they have a sacred status.
The trees ability to regenerate from “dead wood” represents life, death and resurrection which strongly echoes chapters of Christian texts. With yews having lifespans of over 3,000 years, who knows how old these trees are that wrap themselves around this doorway?
Although it could never be proven, they have surely stood here throughout the town’s most historical moments. What we do know is that the wooden door was placed between them around the 13th century. It is possible, looking at the stained glass windows above it and the oil lamp, that it was ‘revamped’ in the Gothic Revival style during JL Pearson’s renovations.
Whatever the case, it is just like something from the pages of a fantasy novel! You could almost imagine opening the door and entering the portal into another world.’
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