C Lawrence

Lovely walk up to the church from the village and also the Mausoleum. Interesting church cemetery to walk around, we even found a memorial to a World War One air ace too. Beautiful church, amazing architecture for both the church and mausoleum. Great views of the surrounding countryside with peeks of West Wycombe Park between the trees.

The Golden Ball on St Lawrence Church, West Wycombe was created during the Age of Enlightenment by Sir Francis Dashwood.  A far-sighted landmark it recalls the late Renaissance period Custom House in Venice. The large wooden ball on top of its tower makes a classical counterpoint to the philanthropic straight road created from High Wycombe. The Church was originally built in the 14th century and then dramatically changed in 1763. The tower was raised to make it more visible from afar, and it was crowned with the wooden golden ball that was reputed to be a meeting place for the Hellfire Club.  The golden ball could seat 6-10 people, and was described by the author John Wilkes as “the best globe tavern I was ever in”. The ball hosted visitors of the Hellfire Club, such as, Benjamin Franklin, underlining the far reaching ‘global’ influence from this Buckinghamshire ‘seat

If you’re in the area you should visit this church and check out the inside, it’s stunning. My wife and I came across it while checking out they mausoleum next door which has stunning views of the area. We met a truly lovely couple who were just about to lock up and showed us around and gave us a fascinating insight into the church and it’s tower history. The acoustics inside are beautiful. The Apple Orchard coffee house on the high street is a lovely place for a drink and something to eat. The hellfire caves at the bottom of the hill below the mausoleum was closed at the time of our visit but looked an interesting place.

Interesting church on top of the West Wycombe hill. It was shut on our visit. Originally dating from the 14th century it was later rebuilt by the local land owners, the Dashwoods. There is a car park nearby which can be reached by a winding road.

It was closed when I visited but wouldn't have gone inside anyway. The graveyard surrounding was interesting to walk around and just that one extra thing to do when visiting the Hellfire Caves Below.

St. Lawrence Church in West Wycombe sits on the hill above the Hellfire Caves and Cafe. To get to the church car park you have to take a sharp narrow uphill turn on your right as you leave West Wycombe village, having come from High Wycombe. The little road will take you past a school building and the cafe / Helfire Caves. Beautiful church inside, maybe a Baroque style. Nice place to visit, I've always known it as the Golden Ball. On Sundays there is tea, coffee and cakes. All very low key, friendly and welcoming. There is also West Wycombe House and grounds to visit, National trust I think.

Came across this place while on a circular hike. The church was closed at the time but I was able to have a good look around it. Medieval in origin, the Church received a substantial re-design in the 18th century by the Dashwood family and the work was completed by the mid 1760s. The tower was raised to make it more visible from afar, and it was crowned with the wooden golden ball that was reputed to be a meeting place for the Hellfire Club.

The Church of Saint Lawrence or 'The Golden Ball' is perched on top of a hill behind West Wycombe village. Very nice place to walk around, lots of stunning views and I think you can still climb to the top of the church for a closer look at the Golden Ball. Loads of parking. You can make a day of your visit with a trip to the quaint National Trust village and the Hellfire caves and cafe.

Great view from up top, it's a nice place to take some time out if you want to go for a walk with your dog. The church is ok, the grounds are well kept. Would recommend.

Saint Lawrence Church still looking for my family ancestry and a look at Dashwood Mausoleum not sure about it