A photo of a church wall has gone viral online, with thousands of people left baffled as to why a small gap was featured in the wall. However, the “genius” explanation has left some delighted
A seemingly random hole in a Cotswolds church wall has left the public baffled, but there’s a “genius” reason behind it. The small gap, which has been part of the wall for generations, sparked confusion when a photo of it was shared on Reddit. Some users were left scratching their heads, while others instantly recognised its purpose.
The viral post, which attracted thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments, read: “Taken today outside a church in the Cotswolds. What’s the gap in the wall for? This was taken today in the Cotswolds. A gap right next door to the gate to the churchyard. Never seen it before!”
One savvy commenter finally revealed the mystery behind the wall, describing it as a “genius” feature.
They explained: “Pedestrian access when the gate is closed and locked. The church yard path is probably a public right of way.”
Another user added: “It’s a stile, for people to pass through without opening the gate. This is a ‘squeeze stile’.”
Others pointed out an additional benefit of the small gap – it helps keep livestock out while still allowing easy access for the public.
One individual commented: “They allow people to walk in, while keeping animals out. Very common in rural areas.”
Another added: “It’s for farm animals coming into the churchyard.
“Not only do people object to animals grazing between graves, but church yards often have yew which is poisonous to most animals.”
According to The Countryside Charity in Gloucester, there are “three main types of stone stiles: slit or squeeze stiles, slab stiles, and step stiles.”
The Reddit page appears to be a squeeze stile. The site reads: “Slit or squeeze stiles are usually two upright stones too narrow for farm animals to pass through. Slab stiles vary in height and can prove difficult to negotiate even for the most energetic walker!”
“The less common stile is the step stile and again some of these can be tricky to climb over.
“For centuries these stiles have provided access to locals walking along pathways as they went about their business whilst preventing sheep and cattle from straying further afield.”
