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# ✨ Treasure Hoard: Noah's Ark carving (with ghost type) at St. Mary, Long Crichel, Dorset
- URL: https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/treasure-hoard-long-crichel/
- Published: 2023-11-16T14:56:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-31T09:28:28.000Z
- Description: The whole church is a delight (the hedgehog bakery not far away either). Look closely above the ark carving and you'll see the faint outline of a Gothic script.
- Author: Andy  Marshall
- Tags: treasure hoard gazetteer, st. mary long crichel, long crichel, dorset, Treasure, Noah's Ark carving at St. Mary, Long Critchel, #treasure-02

**Entry:** The whole church is a delight (the hedgehog bakery not far away either). Look closely above the ark carving and you'll see the faint outline of a Gothic script. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/FFC-Long-Crichel-2-101.jpg)

**St. Mary is part of the bucolic chalk landscape of Cranborne Chase. The core of the church has a Georgian feel set off by an imposing medieval tower.** 

Inside is a delightful niche that holds a carving of Noah's Ark which rewards with close observation. Look carefully (you might need a torch) above the carving and you'll see the fain outline of a Gothic script. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/FFC-Long-Crichel-2-36.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/FFC-Long-Crichel-2-38.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/FFC-Long-Crichel-2-40.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/FFC-Long-Crichel-2-41.jpg)

**Long Crichel is a cultural hotspot. Park up outside the church, buy some Hedgehog bread (take some cheese), have a picnic in the churchyard and read 'The Crichel Boys.' Take in the church after lunch. Head back to the car - check the floor for strawberries. Eat dessert.More about the church on** [**Friends website** ](https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/st-marys-long-crichel-dorset/?ref=digest.andymarshall.co)**(visiting etc).**

Long Crichel was home to the Crichel boys - subject of Simon Fenwick's book [*The Crichel Boys: Scenes from England's Last Literary Salon.*](https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-crichel-boys-scenes-from-england-s-last-literary-salon/9781472132475?ref=digest.andymarshall.co)

Long Crichel is also home of the gorgeous [Hedgehog Bakery](https://www.famoushedgehogbakery.co.uk/?ref=digest.andymarshall.co) \- highly recommended.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/img_0149.jpg)

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