Churches (275) : St Mary the Virgin, Charlbury

The parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Charlbury, Oxfordshire is Norman with the church owned by Eyesham Abbey. The church was lengthened in the 13th century. The chancel was extended eastwards, the south aisle, west tower and north and south chapels were added to the church. More changes happened in the 14th and 15th centuries with a clerestory added and the north aisle was widened. A south porch in the Perpendicular Gothic style was added in the 16th century.

The church was restored and altered in the mid-19th century. The church is built from coursed limestone rubble with an ashlar dressing.

Churches (274) : St Anne, Bewdley

The church of St Anne in Bewdley, Worcestershire began life in 1695, the tower dates from then. The rest of the church followed in the mid-1700s and was complete in 1748. There was a chapel on the site previously, a chantry chapel being founded in 1450. St Anne's was finished in the Classical style. The nave has aisles, there is a chancel and a four stage west tower.

The church is built from ashlar. 

Churches (273) : St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington

The parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Kidlington, Oxfordshire dates from 1220 though was built on the site of an earlier 11th century church. The church was rebuilt in the 13th century with aisles and side chapels added in about 1330. A clerestory was added in the 15th century. The tower was built in the 14th century, the spire is 50m tall and is known as Our Lady's Needle.

The church is mostly built from squared and coursed limestone and coursed limestone rubble.

Churches (272) : Holy Trinity, Long Itchington

The church of the Holy Trinity, in the Warwickshire village of Long Itchington, dates from the late 12th or early 13th centuries. There were additions made to the church in the following two centuries. The church has a nave with a south aisle, a four bay chancel (a 14th century addition) and a west tower. The tower once had a spire but it collapsed in 1762. A clerestory was added in the 15th century.

The church is built from coursed lias rubble which has been interspersed with sandstone blocks.

Churches (271) : Great Malvern Priory Church of St Mary and St Michael

As the name implies. this church used to be a Benedictine monastery from 1075 until 1540. After the Dissolution of the monastery, the local residents of Great Malvern bought the building to replace their own parish church which had fallen into disrepair. The Priory itself was in a bad condition by the late 18th century but was restored in the early 19th.

The oldest parts of the church date from 1085 though much of the current church is 15th century. The original Norman church was extended in the Perpendicular style in the second half of the 15th century. The large square tower is similar to the one at Gloucester cathedral (and indeed was built by the same masons).

Churches (270) : St Martin, Alfreton

The parish church of St Martin in Alfreton, Derbyshire dates to the 13th century with additions and changes in the following two centuries and also the 19th century when the chancel was expanded. The church has a five bay nave with a clerestory on the southern side of the church. The church has north and south aisles and a vestry. The tower is 15th century and has three stages. The church was restored in the mid-19th century. A hall was added to the church in 1930.

The church is built from ashlar stone with a lead, slate and tile roof.

Churches (268) : St Lawrence, Little Stanmore

The parish church of St Lawrence in Little Stanmore, Harrow (now in north London) dates from about 1360 though only the tower remains from this original church. The church was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the early 1700s in a commission by the 1st Duke of Chandos. A mausoleum dedicated to the Duke was later added to the east of the church.

The tower is built from flint and dressed stone. The reconstructed parts of the church from brick. The nave had a gallery on the west end built from the Duke. 

Churches (267) : St Nicholas, Radford Semele

The parish church of St Nicholas in the Warwickshire village of Radford Semele dates from the 12th century, the tower being added in the 14th. The church was mostly rebuilt in 1889, and again in the 21st century after the fire in 2008 which destroyed everything except the tower and the shell of the nave.

The church is in the Perpendicular style, the west tower having two stages. The nave has a north aisle and a south porch.

Churches (266) : Holy Trinity Church, Barrow upon Soar

Holy Trinity Church in Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire dates from the 12th century. However, little of the original church has survived apart from some pillars in the knave. Much of the current church dates from a rebuilding in the 1860s following the collapse of the tower.

The church has a two aisled nave, a chancel, a west tower, transepts and clerestory. The church is built from pink random granite rubble with a sandstone dressing.

Church update : All Saints, Little Kimble

Let us revisit the lovely little church of All Saints in Little Kimble, Buckinghamshire. On my second visit to the church a few weeks ago it was open so i could have a look inside. I do prefer a simple nave and chancel layout church to be honest. The church has traces of painting on the walls, a reminder that medieval churches usually did not have white washed walls but instead vivid depictions of Biblical stories.

Church update : St Peter, Wootton Wawen

Let's go back to number 1 in the Churches series! I recently revisited St Peter's in Wootton Wawen, the oldest church in Warwickshire with parts being Saxon. Finally, the church was open when i was there so i was able to go inside at last! The mix of styles and periods inside is fascinating.

Church update : St Michael & All Angels, Ledbury

Let's go back to number 12 in this series, the parish church of Ledbury in Herefordshire. On my second trip i was able to explore more of the church including the separate bell tower. Unfortunately, i was unable to enter the main building, maybe it will be a third time lucky some time in the future.

Church update : St Mary the Virgin, Tutbury

The rather nice church of St Mary the Virgin in Tutbury, in Staffordshire is next to the ruins of the castle. On my second visit i was able to go inside as well as see the church resplendent in some fine Winter sunshine.