Bethel, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church The church building itself was the Elmstone Hardwicke village school, sold by public tender in the 1980s and purchased by a group of Slavic Christians as their meeting place. The building attached to it is a residence which was for the use of the school master/mistress.
With thanks to a site visitor for the above information.

Church / AbbeyVisit

St Mary Magdalene

📷 Photo by Pauline Eccles · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

St Mary Magdalene in Swindon Village sits just beyond Cheltenham's edge, offering a genuinely ancient space for worship that feels removed from the busier attractions in the area.

This parish church traces its roots back at least to Norman times, with centuries of additions and repairs layered into its stone fabric, each generation leaving its mark on the building.

Inside, you'll find yourself surrounded by evidence of real craftsmanship across the ages. The aged timbers, stained glass, and various memorials speak to the people who've worshipped here over the centuries. It's the kind of place where you can spend a quiet hour simply absorbing the atmosphere, taking in the details that reveal how communities lived and what mattered to them. The building itself becomes a sort of local history book if you take time to read it.

The churchyard outside offers another draw, with mature trees creating a peaceful environment for a wander. It's the sort of spot where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something in the Cotswolds.

What makes this place valuable isn't grandeur but authenticity. It's genuine local heritage rather than something packaged for visitors. If you're in Cheltenham or heading toward Gloucester, it's easily accessible and works perfectly as a quiet detour to break up your travels or simply to get a better sense of how communities in the region developed over time.