Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
21 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
22 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
24 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Covehithe Ruins of St Andrew's Covehithe

Ruins of St Andrew's Covehithe

A 17th-century church is nestled within the walls of a 15th-century ruin.

Covehithe, England

Added By
Gwen
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A church within a church.   Evelyn Simak
A church within a church.   Evelyn Simak
The 17th-century church tucked beside the landmark bell tower.   Evelyn Simak
Porch of the 17th C. church, Covehithe   Evelyn Simak
Church of St. Andrew, Covehithe   Evelyn Simak
Church of St. Andrew, Covehithe   Evelyn Simak
Interior of 17th C. church, Covehithe   Evelyn Simak
Dedication plate in the 17th C. church, Covehithe   Evelyn Simak
Visitors graffiti on the church glass   Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

At first sight, the 15th-century Church of St Andrew in Covehithe appears to be just another church ruin, deserted in a field at the end of an ordinary country lane on the edge of town. But eagle-eyed visitors will notice the number of relatively modern headstones in the graveyard on the grounds. These hold the site's secret: the 17th-century church nestled within the ruins.

Built on the bequest of a wealthy resident, the original St Andrew's, a magnificent building, became too expensive for the small village to maintain. From the day the first stone was laid, the church was disproportionate to the size of the village, whose population never exceeded 300 people. By the late-1600s, the decision was made to dismantle the larger church and erect a smaller one on the site, built with materials from the original structure.

The 17th-century church that's nestled within the walls of this 15th-century ruin is romantic, picturesque, and very unexpected. The new church exhibits the rather austere simplicity of religious houses of the era. Only the octagonal font (much defaced by Oliver Cromwell's agents in the 16th century), the pulpit, and three poppy-head pew ends remain from the original church. 

The 17th-century church is in current use, while the ruins and iconic tower of the 15th-century church are maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Related Tags

Churches Ruins Religion Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

Follow the "Historic Church" sign in the town center past the old church in the village proper to the end of the lane. St. Andrew's is on the left at the end of a lane leading directly towards the sea.

Community Contributors

Added By

Blackswan

Edited By

Meg, Snowdrop68

  • Meg
  • Snowdrop68

Published

April 3, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Church leaflet, Churches Conservation Trust
Ruins of St Andrew's Covehithe
Mill Ln
Covehithe, England
United Kingdom
52.376751, 1.705241
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Under the Pier Show

Southwold, England

miles away

Southwold Jack

Southwold, England

miles away

Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room

Southwold, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,233
Stories 145

Nearby Places

Under the Pier Show

Southwold, England

miles away

Southwold Jack

Southwold, England

miles away

Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room

Southwold, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,233
Stories 145

Related Places

  • The interior of the church

    Bussi Sul Tirino, Italy

    Church of Santa Maria di Cartignano

    The ruins of this once gorgeous medieval church are still standing, despite the region's constant flooding.

  • Overview / sea view

    Greece

    Castle of Agia Mavra (Santa Maura)

    A seaside castle complex that stood through centuries of conquests.

  • Basilica ruins.

    Selçuk, Turkey

    Basilica of St. John

    This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint's tomb.

  • The modern chapel.

    Saint Davids, Wales

    St. Non’s Chapel and Well

    The remains of a small medieval chapel mark the legendary birthplace of the patron saint of Wales.

  • The new church, built in 1840.

    Glynn, Northern Ireland

    St. John's Church

    Local legend says there's treasure hidden within its crowded graveyard.

  • Monk Bretton Priory.

    Barnsley, England

    Monk Bretton Priory

    These medieval monastery ruins are surprisingly overlooked by most tourists.

  • Teampull na Trionaid.

    Outer Hebrides, Scotland

    Teampull na Trionaid

    The ruins of a medieval seminary some say is the oldest university site in Scotland.

  • Priory undercroft excavations in 2001.

    Coventry, England

    Ruins of St. Mary's Priory Cathedral

    All that remains of the only English cathedral destroyed in the Protestant Reformation.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.