St Cuthburga's Church - Wimborne Minster — Local services in Wimborne Minster

I was disappointed, almost disgusted. The church is a real mess inside, full of conference style noticeboards for this and that, barriers, children’s toys, cupboards and furniture randomly around the place. A real dumping ground and kind of disrespectful, I can’t imagine it would feel very sacred if you wanted to pray or contemplate. I suppose some would say it’s a community building so good that it’s “lived in”, but it’s also an important and beautiful historic edifice, a balance has to be struck. The library was closed, no explanation. Adverts for apps to “experience” a couple of the splendid features - couldn’t really work out what they were meant to do let alone get them to do it and the notices about it just added to the clutter. A distinct lack of interpretation of the historic features (a laminated notice stuck on with blutak if you’re lucky), I’m sure I missed lots of significant things; I suppose I was suppose to buy and absorb a guide or something, but there wasn’t exactly much pointing you to this or encouraging you either. Because it IS historic and beautiful of course it is still worth visiting and it looks splendid from outside - hence the two stars. But so much more could be made of it and I feel the town/diocese or whatever should take more pride in this significant site. It deserves more. I’ll have to go again to try to see the library and other...

I was desperate in my search for the Saxon King Ethelred as there were no plaques or signs up. A fantastic church volunteer approached me and not only pointed out the Kings location, but took me on a guided tour of the church. Such a beautiful church of course steeped with history and mysteries. For anyone that is interested, the location of King Ethelred is under the church pulpit, as during the Anglo Saxon days that used to be the outside part...

If you like historical churches, this is definitely one to visit. We were given a tour guide by a wonderful volunteer who certainly knew everything there was to know about the church. If you’re visiting it’s a great place to explore. Astronomical Clock, with a blue-green image of the Earth at centre, and the Sun rotating in the outer lighter-blue ring, and the Moon in the inner starred ring...