All Saints, Chalgrave - Farndish, St Michael's Church
Bedfordshire churches have been unfavourably compared to their neighbours in Northamptonshire, but this is probably a "bad rap"; Bedfordshire has a lot to offer afficionados of church architecture.
There really isn't such a thing as a "typical" Bedfordshire church; in the south many are built of flint, but the most common material is ironstone (carstone), which imparts a dark, sometimes grim look.
Anglo-Saxon work has survived in several churches, notably Turvey and St. Peter's, Bedford. Excellent early Norman monastic churches survive at Dunstable and Elstow. Several much later buildings are worth noting, such as the thatched Congregational church at Roxton, and Victorian Gothic structures at Woburn and Turvey.
Finally, it is impossible to speak of Bedfordshire churches without mentioning John Bunyan, who received his spiritual "wake-up call" at St. Paul's. Bedford, and regularly attended Elstow church where he delighted in ringing the bells.
All Saints is notable primarily for its excellent medieval wall paintings. The oldest - at the west end of the aisles - date to the late 13th century, and are thought to represent the 12 apostles. Each apostle is portrayed life sized, with a covering canopy. more...
Chalgrave,
Bedfordshire,
England
The 13th century edifice of All Saints Church is the second church to stand on this site. The most striking part of the church as you approach it is the spire, which juts upward to a height of 190 feet. On the south west pier is carved a depiction of a woman waving a spoon at a man. These figures may represent an elderly couple, Simon and Nellie, supposed originators of the Simnel cake. more...
Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire,
England
Remnants of an older Saxon church can still be seen in the structure of medieval All Saints, a spacious church set beside Turvey House. more...
Turvey,
Bedfordshire,
England
Edwardian Gothic chapel of red brick, built in 1907 on a rise of ground by GF Bodley. Bodley died before the work was complete, so the building was finished by his assistant Cecil Hare. more...
Bedford,
Bedfordshire,
England, MK40 2TU
Formerly the parish church, St. Mary's has fallen into disuse, and is now administered by the Redundant Churches Fund. The building dates to the early Norman period, with much 14th century (and later) additions. more...
St Mary's Street,
Bedford,
Bedfordshire,
England, MK42 0AS
St. Paul's is a "hall church" in the Perpendicular style, and an intriguing mix of modern and medieval. Some of the church fabric originated with Newnham Abbey (c 1165), and the memorial for Simon de Beauchamp (1208), founder of Newnham Priory can be seen in the church. more...
Saint Paul's Square,
Bedford,
Bedfordshire,
England, MK40 1SQ
St. Peter has been called one of the finest examples of Norman ecclesiastical architecture in England. In 1131 Henry I established an Augustinian priory at Dunstable. It was at Dunstable Priory that the annulment of Katherine of Aragon's marriage to Henry VIII was announced in 1533. The Augustinians were evicted shortly after in the Dissolution of the Monasteries, but parts of the priory church of St. Peter have survived as the parish church. more...
Dunstable,
Bedfordshire,
England
The church was begun about 1200 under the patronage of the local baron of Eitone (Eaton), William de Cantelou, using stone from nearby Totternhoe. The exterior has been much altered since Cantelou's time, with 15th century, with Perpendicular style windows and a squat tower. Much of this later remodeling can be attributed to Reginald de Bray, a confidant of Henry VII. It was Bray who is said to have placed Richard III's crown upon Henry's head after the Battle of Bosworth. more...
Eaton Bray,
Bedfordshire,
England, LU6 2DP
An early 13th century church with a wealth of excellent carving, St George's belonged at one time to St Neot's Priory. The church wwas begun about 1200, and the chancel and side aisles were added about a century later.
Edworth,
Bedfordshire,
England, SG18 8QX
An early 13th century church with the addition of a 15th century tower. The tower is worth a second look; it was not built onto the exterior of the church aas you might expect, but actually built inside the nave.
Farndish,
Bedfordshire,
England, NN29 7HS
If you are looking for a pre-flight stopover on the way to Luton Airport then the Chiltern Hotel and 15 days parking offer from Superbreak is just what you need. The hotel is perfectly placed just 5 miles from the airport, offers excellent accommodation and ample on-site parking where you … more >>
The Express by Holiday Inn Luton Airport hotel is a 147 bedroom modern hotel near the airport. The hotel is easily accessible by air, road and rail, making it an excellent choice. Facilities include well equipped bedrooms with desk area and telephone, modem link, tea & coffee making facilities, and … more >>
