Summary
A quiet village south of Cheltenham, with a church known for its unusual dovecote
above the chancel and its quite exeptional Norman arches in the chancel and sanctuary.
The church is also the highest in Gloucestershire, and boasts a wonderful Norman
tympanum above the south door.
The church
The church of St John the Evangelist in Elkstone is the highest church in the
Cotswolds. It is tucked away off the busy A417 Cirencester to Gloucester road,
but it is well worth taking a detour to explore the church and its striking collection
of Norman arches and decorative features.
Among these features is a set
of gargoyles on the tower, and other decorative medieval carvings ranged below
the roof line. Some of these carvings are quite pagan in nature, including grotesque
monsters, birds, and a very Roman-looking centaur, ready to shoot an arrow from
his bow.
Pass
to the south door, where a lovely Norman tympanum (the semi-circle bit over the
doorway) is supported by pillars incised with strong beak-head ornamentation.
The pagan theme is carried on inside as well, where the superb Norman chancel
arch ends in fancifully carved beast heads that bear a strong resemblance to crocodiles.
(See photos in the Elkstone
Photo Gallery).
The chancel arch, and those leading to the altar, are
among the best in Gloucestershire, if not in Britain. The traditional Norman chevron
patterns are clear and sharp despite the passage of time. But there is more to
Elkstone than meets the eye. A small door behind the pulpit leads up a narrow
spiral staircase which emerges into a small chamber directly above the chancel.
Small holes in the wall betray this hidden chamber's use; it is a dovecote.
Getting
There Elkstone is reached via a minor road signposted from the A417,
or via my preferred route, from the east, off the A435. The way is narrow, and
dives down into a lovely dell before climbing to Elkstone. The church is at the
south end of the village and there is parking for church visitors down the lane
that leads to the church.
For more photos of Elkstone, including several
striking carvings and Norman stonework,visit the Elkstone
Photo Gallery.
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