URPoint Details
In the village lies the ruined old church partly demolished by Sir Lionel Lyte until the bishop prevented any further destruction. The new church built in 1778 by Nicholas Revett is externally Grecian in style. It has a Greek temple portico with fluted columns. The nave is flanked by two arched recesses, has a coffered ceiling.
Ayot House of Georgian origin dates from the 18th century and was the seat of Sir Lionel Lyte. Its main front has three stories with the middle of the five bays slightly projected.
To the south is the Jacobean Bride Hall and still retains the original fireplace in the hall.
The home of George Bernard Shaw from 1906 to his death in 1950 and known as Shaw's corner. Shaw chose to live here after seeing the tombstone in the churchyard to 'Mary Ann South.' The inscription goes on to note 'Her time was short', and the playwright reasoned that a parish which regarded 70 years as a brief lifespan was the right place in which to look forward to a long and fruitful age. He was born in 1825 and died in 1895.
- Type:
- Landmark