Anchor Church, Ingleby

Derbyshire Dwelling Dating Back to Saxon Times

Tucked away beside the River Trent near Ingleby, Derbyshire lies Anchor Church. A fascinating site that contains an impressive sandstone cliff-face. That’s not the fascinating thing, though. No, that would be the rock-cut chambers that turned this cliff into a dwelling.

A story from an early printed book suggests that the exiled King Eardwulf of Northumbria, later known as St. Hardulph, spent time here. For a long time this was deemed to be just a story, with no evidence supporting it, until a 2021 survey found that some of the architectural forms date back to the Saxon period.  

The chambers are carved directly into the rock, featuring arched doorways and small windows. In the 1700s, Sir Robert Burdett adapted the caves into a romantic folly, enlarging them for use as a dining space. This makeover reflected the Georgian love of picturesque and rustic settings.

It’s a peaceful spot that is usually quiet, and a perfect place for a moment of quiet reflection, as I’m sure it’s been used for many a time over the centuries.

Note: These photos are from 2009, back when I’d just started my photography career. I’ll probably re-visit the site and update the photos at some point.