We are always pleased to welcome organized group visits to our church, and to help you get the most from your visit and avoid problems and disappointment we offer the following advice and suggestions which we hope you will find useful.
Please make contact with our churchwarden Marilyn Wright email: wrights(at)flyingpiano.plus.com or phone: 01256 397445 as early as possible when planning your visit in order to check available dates and discuss your requirements as the church can only accommodate one party at a time.
We can arrange for members of the church to be on hand to greet your party and provide talks about the history of the church and Jane Austen’s life here, if required.
Visiting groups are always most welcome to join us at our church services and other events, but do please notify us in advance if you are intending to do this.
Please note, there are no toilet facilities at the church.
Donations and Merchandise
There are no entry fees or charges for our talks etc, so we rely heavily on voluntary donations. We would therefore ask you to consider making a modest donation (suggested £3 per head) either individually or on behalf of the whole group. A selection of cards, books and other small items of merchandise is also available for purchase at the back of the church.
Donations and payments can be made by credit/debit card (pre-arranged groups only), in cash, by cheque (payable to Steventon PCC) or we can supply Bank Transfer details on request.
All monies go directly to church funds to help our small community maintain this beautiful and historic building for everyone to enjoy.
Refreshments
We may be able to provide tea or coffee and home-made cakes at the Village Hall for a charge of £4 per head, subject to availability of the hall etc – pre-booking is therefore essential. The hall’s basic toilet facilities would also be available.
More-substantial meals are available at nearby pubs and hotels:
- The Fox at North Waltham RG25 2BE https://thefox.org/ 01256 397288
- The Wheatsheaf Inn and Hotel North Waltham RG25 2BB
https://www.chefandbrewer.com/pubs/hampshire/wheatsheaf 01256 398282 - The Sun Inn Dummer RG25 2DJ https://www.suninndummer.com/ 01256 397234
- The Palm Brasserie RG25 3AX https://www.thepalmbrasserie.com/ 01256 518160
Travel and Directions
The tiny village of Steventon and its church are only accessible by narrow single-track country lanes, and the approach from the B3400 at Deane passes through a tunnel (max height 9′ 11′ /3.02 m). Coaches are therefore advised to approach via either of the roads from North Waltham. The final turn from Steventon Road into the church lane (from either direction) is quite tight and restricted by hedges and fences, so coaches more than about 12m may have serious difficulty – longer vehicles may also struggle to turn round in the church car-park. We therefore advise you to discuss this with your coach company when booking. The postcode for St Nicholas Church is RG25 3BE.