England
Gloucestershire

Historic Churches in Gloucestershire

Fairford, St Mary's   The first glimpse of St Mary's, Fairford, rising above low pasture land to the west is likely to make unsuspecting visitors stop in their tracks and stare (as this writer did). The ornamentation of the tower is reminiscent of lace, so extravagant is the stonework. High Street, Fairford, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, GL7 4AF Attraction Type: Church Location: At the top of High Street Location map Details of Fairford, St Mary's OS SP151011 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Gloucester Cathedral   The magnificence of Gloucester, which only became a cathedral under Henry VIII, owes much to the courage of one man, Abbot Thoky. When Edward II was murdered at nearby Berkeley Castle in 1327, three other abbots refused to accept the king's remains, possibly because they disapproved of his reported "unnatural" lifestyle. Thoky accepted the body, risking the displeasure of Edward's many enemies. When miracles were reported at Edward's tomb, the money brought in by the resulting flood of pilgrims enabled the rebuilding of the Norman abbey church. The result is a fascinating blend of heavy Romanesque drum piers and perpendicular Gothic tracery. The east window (1347-50), which commemorates the English victory at Crecy, is glorious. It retains some of its original stained glass. The 15th century cloisters exhibit a wonderful example of fan vaulting. Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, GL1 2LR Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Gloucester Cathedral Email: christine@gloucestercathedral.org.uk Phone: 01452 528 095 Fax: 01452 300469 Location map OS SO831 187 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Great Barrington   A Norman church with many Tudor features, located beside the manor house in the quiet Cotswold village of Great Barrington. The best surviving Norman feature is the superbly carved chancel arch, of traditional chevron design. In the sanctuary are memorials to the Talbot family, and a Jacobean effigy of Edmond Bray is in the south aisle. St Mary's, Great Barrington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On a short footpath from the minor road through the village. The tower is easily visible, so its hard to miss. The church stands beside the manor house, Barrington Park. Details of Great Barrington - Photos of Great Barrington OS SP208138 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Great Rissington, St John the Baptist   A 12th century church situated beside the manor house in this lovely Cotswold village. The church boasts a set of 3 Norman coffin lids, 13th century windows, and 15th century font. Great Rissington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On a minor road 2 miles east of Bourton on the Water Details of Great Rissington, St John the Baptist OS SP198176 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Guiting Power, St Michael's and All Angels   St Michael's and All Angels is a wonderful example of a Norman church. The south door is one of the best examples of Norman style I've seen in a parish church. Strangely, the door opens, not onto a covered porch, as you'd expect, but straight into the south transept of the church. Guiting Power, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, GL54 5XA Attraction Type: Church Location map Details of Guiting Power, St Michael's and All Angels OS SP095247 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kempley, St Mary   An isolated 12th century church famous for its collection of superb medieval wall paintings. St Mary also features the oldest open roof in north west Europe, and a door thought to be the oldest in Britain still in use. Well worth a visit. Kempley, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: A mile from Kempley village on a minor road north towards Much Marcle. Details of Kempley, St Mary - Photos of Kempley, St Mary OS SO670312 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Little Barrington   A small Cotswold church with many Norman features, including a wonderfully carved south door, 12th century tower, and Georgian wall paintings. St Peter, Burford Little Barrington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, OX18 Attraction Type: Church Location: On a minor road off the A40, 3 miles west of Burford Location map Details of Little Barrington - Photos of Little Barrington OS SP206125 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Longborough, St James   A 12th century church situated in the lovely little Cotswold village of Longborough. St James features the Sezincote Chapel, 14th century knight's tomb, and the Jacobean Leigh Memorial. Church Street, Longborough, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: On Church Street, just down from the War Memorial. Church Street is opposite the Coach and Horses Inn. Limited parking outside the church. Details of Longborough, St James OS SP179297 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lower Oddington, St Nicholas   A small country church near Stow on the Wold, famous for its superb medieval 'Doom' (Judgement Day) wall painting, possibly the largest such medieval painting in the country. A superb medieval work of art. Church Road, Lower Oddington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: At the end of Church Road, signposted from the village centre. Parking on the verge. Do not mistake St Nicholas for the modern parish church located on the High Street. Details of Lower Oddington, St Nicholas - Photos of Lower Oddington, St Nicholas OS SP235253 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Northleach, St Peter and St Paul   The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Northleach is one of the finest Cotswold wool churches - and that's saying something! The church has been called "The Cathedral of the Cotswolds", and with good reason. It seems at first glance quite odd that a small town like Northleach would possess such an extraordinary church, but the fact is easily explained with a little dose of history. In the medieval period the Cotswold region was famous for the quality of the wool it produced. So prized was this wool that many wool merchants became fabulously wealthy by the standards of their time. Some of this wealth was lavished on their local churches. Northleach, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Church Location: Just behind the market square in the centre of Northleach Details of Northleach, St Peter and St Paul OS SP111146 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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See also
Medieval Monasteries in Gloucestershire

Regional Travel Information:
Cotswolds