Villagers

Doug saved a derelict Dode from conversion to a house in the 1990’s and since then has worked tirelessly to breath life back into this important piece of history. Inspiring countless devotees along the way, he has a special gift for attracting people to Dode who wish to preserve its legacy and revitalise interest in this most special of places. Some six miles upstream of Stratford, the river Avon runs sinuously through enchanted parkland that has little changed since Shakespe

Resident celebrant Paul is quintessentially everything you would expect from a man of Dode, although perhaps more “Middle Earth” in appearance. Proud to be a Man of Kent, I’ve spent the vast majority of my life living around the county and travelling in the UK, from Lands Ends to John O’Groats developing a love of the countryside & an appreciation of the numerous ancient places dotted in the landscape. In 2013 I experienced my own Handfasting in Orkney; the ceremony taking pl

My name is Sian, and I am the Dreamweaver here at The Lost Village of Dode. It is a privilege to guide you as you shape your special day within this ancient and sacred place. Whether you are planning a wedding, civil ceremony, handfasting or blessing, I will walk beside you throughout, helping to weave your vision into something seamless, meaningful, and deeply memorable. With a background in people-centred roles, I bring care, organisation, and a steady hand to organise each

Matt is the steady hand behind many of the quiet workings that keep Dode standing strong. A master of practical skill and patient craft, he answers the call whenever something needs mending, shaping, or setting right — ensuring that the village continues to endure as it has for centuries. Yet Matt’s gifts are not only of wood, tool, and repair. He is also the one who captures Dode in its most fleeting moments. As the village’s photographer, he weaves light and shadow into las

Every ancient place has its keepers. At Dode, one of them just happens to have four paws, a soft tail, and a gift for knowing exactly when someone needs a gentle welcome. Gwen arrived at the Lost Village of Dode entirely on her own terms. No one brought her here; she chose Dode and decided it was home. Since then, she has become part of the fabric of the village, as present and reassuring as the old stones themselves. Visitors quickly learn that Gwen takes her role seriously.

Becca is the quiet force behind the comfort and care that surrounds those who stay at Dode. As warden of the retreat cottages, she ensures each guest arrives to a place of warmth, rest and welcome, tending both the details of booking and the gentle art of preparing each space. Her care extends beyond the cottages to the ancient church itself, where she brings a watchful eye and steady hand, helping to keep the sacred space as inviting and serene as it has been for centuries.

Bernard is Dode’s Warden of Lore: the keeper of its stories, its digital hearth, and the many small workings that keep the village alive in the modern world. From shaping the website and tending to all things technical, to helping with practical tasks that come with caring for an almost thousand‑year‑old place. Not long ago Bernard introduced a marvel so wondrous it would surely have been declared sorcery in the 12th century. With great care he has woven invisible threads of

Deep in the corners of the Lost Village of Dode, where ivy clings to ancient stone and the seasons turn in gentle rhythm, dwells Chris, known to villagers as The Green Man. Guardian of growing things, Chris tends the living heart of the village. Under his watchful care, flowers find their courage, herbs their fragrance, and grass its quiet strength. The old church walls are softened by climbing ivy that whisper of centuries past. It is said that he knows every root, every bra

At the edge of field and flint, where the path bends gently toward the ancient church, stands Anna, known among the villagers as the Guardian of the Gathering It is she who opens the door to Dode at open days and other public events. With care and a knowing presence, Anna prepares the space before each gathering: unlatching old wood, letting in the light, and ensuring that every arrival is met with warmth. To those who come seeking stillness, celebration, or simple curiosity,