Locals, exiles and lovers of Tenby in all parts of the globe can now take a virtual walk through the town’s beautiful parish church, in the comfort of their own living rooms, by visiting the church’s own website.

The self-guided tour is easy to use and of particular note as it includes areas not normally seen by the public; including the clock tower inside, the Vestry and Sacristy.

The virtual tour was donated by Sandseer 360, who produce virtual tours of Hospitality, architectural, historical and public buildings.

The business is run by David Harrison-Wood, an original Penally ‘Crow’ who moved to Church Park in Tenby and went to Greenhill School, starting a year after it opened in Heywood Lane. He was a choirboy when Albert Bevan was Choir Master and his sisters Sheila and Patricia were both choristers. Living right next door to the Rectory, David had frequent contact with many of the rectors, dating back to Canon Hallam.

David explained: “The church is such a beautiful example of its kind and, although positioned right in the centre of Tenby, is not so accessible to a much wider audience who either can’t travel, are expatriate to UK or just find it difficult to access. This is particularly true of the Tower, which no longer has direct access from the Church but has its own entrance.

“A few weeks ago I approached Canon Andrew Grace and suggested that I would be willing to provide them with a complimentary virtual tour for their website and Andrew has been most enthusiastic and supportive from the word go .

“Mark Carter, the webmaster, has been most helpful and has made the tour ‘live’ on St Mary’s website and Richard Bedford, the Bell Captain, also made it possible by providing access to the tower.”

“Although a commercial tour would normally attract a fee, we do try to provide some organisations with complimentary tours.”

Canon Andrew Grace is delighted: “When David first approached me with his idea to create the virtual tour, I wasn’t really sure what that was! But after spending just a few hours in church with his camera he has produced something absolutely astonishing and a great treasure for all who hold dear St Mary’s Church.

“We are so grateful to David for giving us something very precious and a great tool for exploring St Mary’s, and we hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.”

To experience the tour for yourself, visit www.stmaryschurchtenby.co.uk