30/06/2026
Have you visited whilst staying with us?
Tucked away down a quiet Hampshire lane stands one of the county's most fascinating churches.
St Margaret's Church in East Wellow dates back to around 1215, the same year as Magna Carta. Although small and unassuming, it has witnessed more than 800 years of history. Inside are remarkable medieval wall paintings, ancient timbers, a 17th-century pulpit rescued from a nearby barn, and even an old musket displayed as a reminder of a long-forgotten tragedy.
But St Margaret's is best known for one very famous resident.
In the churchyard lies Florence Nightingale, the pioneering nurse known around the world as "The Lady with the Lamp." Despite being offered burial in Westminster Abbey, Nightingale's family honoured her wish for a simple resting place near her beloved family home at Embley Park. She was buried at St Margaret's on 20 August 1910, and her grave is marked with surprisingly modest lettering: simply "F.N." and her dates.
Today, visitors from across the world make the journey to this peaceful corner of Hampshire to pay their respects to the woman who transformed modern nursing. Yet many are equally captivated by the church itself — a hidden medieval treasure standing quietly among the fields, largely unchanged for centuries.
Have you ever visited St Margaret's Church or Florence Nightingale's grave? Let us know in the comments and follow Hidden Heritage for more great stories!
