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If you believe local legend, it's surprising that the Church of St Bartholomew in Munsley has not become a shrine to Shakespearean tourists, for it鈥檚 believed to contain part of the sarcophagus of the original Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.

The stone contains an Anglo Saxon inscription which was deciphered some time ago by the Reverend C.G. Hunt and Professor L.A. Waddell, and is said to read 'HAMLET XHETI AD 362', which would translate 'Hamlet the Jute AD 362'.听

Whether you believe the story or not, and modern-day villagers are slightly sceptical about the tale, the fragment of stone sarcophagus is worth a closer inspection.

It's easily found inside the church, on the right hand wall as you face the altar, although it has been rather crudely surrounded by plaster in more modern times.

Perhaps it was brought to England by earlier Viking raiders, perhaps a former Danish Prince spent his last days in Herefordshire or perhaps it was seized upon as a way to attract visitors, once Shakespeare's famous play featuring the flawed hero became so popular across Britain?听

St Bartholomew's also contains some examples of pre-Christian crosses on very early gravestones, which can be found on either side of the steps up to the chancel.

These were found when the church was restored in 1853.