spacerBritain Express home page Oxfordshire Travel Guide - Adderbury church
A personal guide to Historic churches in Oxfordshire.
   
spacer
 Travel Guides : England | Scotland | Wales | London   |  Accommodation | History
 

Britain Express
Accommodation
 Hotels
 Hostels
 Bed & Breakfast
 Self catering
Attractions
England
 Oxfordshire
Travel Guide

Towns and Villages
Oxford Guide

Oxford Guide
Attractions
Hotels in Oxford
History of Oxford
Attractions Map
Oxford's Rivers
Oxford University
Tourism information

Quick Links
Ashmolean Museum
Blackwell's Books
Bodleian Library
Carfax Tower
Martyrs Memorial
Oxford Botanic Gardens
Oxford Museums
Oxford University colleges
Punting on Oxford's rivers
Radcliffe Camera
Sheldonian Theatre
St. Mary the Virgin Church


Attractions
All attractions
  Attractions map
Ancient Sites
Castles
Churches
Family Attractions
Gardens
Historic Buildings
Historic Houses
Museums
Roman sites

Travel Resources
Tourist Information Centres
Travel links

Accommodation
Oxfordshire Hotels
Self Catering
Bed & Breakfast



 Scotland
 Wales
Travel Services
 Rail Tickets
 Car Rental
Tourist Info Centres
 England
 Scotland
 Wales
Heritage
 History
 Culture
Travel Directory
 England
 Scotland
 Wales
 B&B
 Hotels
 Tour Operators
 Car Rental
 Walking Holidays
 Waterways  Holidays
 more....
Blog
 Heritage Traveller
Fun

 Photo of the Day
 RSS Feeds

About

 Contact
 About us


  
spacer
spacer


Adderbury - St Mary's historic church Photos

Quite why Adderbury's parish church is not better known is a mystery; it is without question one of the more enjoyable churches I've had the pleasure of visiting. The oldest parts date to the 13th century, but most of the current church is 14th century. The real joy of Adderbury is the wealth of wonderful carvings that decorate the building inside and out. Gargoyles and grotesques abound, with mythological figures of animals and humans, lords and ladies. The chancel is said to be the work of William of Wykeham (1324-1404), Bishop of Winchester and founder of New College, Oxford. Wykeham's head and coat of arms are above the east window.

click on a photo to see a larger version of the image

St Mary's Adderbury
St Mary's Adderbury. The setting is lovely, in a lane below the High Street, looking over the river
Aisle window, Frieze carvings, St Mary's Adderbury
An unusual bow window on the west end of the north aisle. This type of window is most common in secular architecture in the late medieval and Tudor periods.
Gargoyle, St Mary's Adderbury
Gargoyle on the roofline of the south aisle
Frieze carvings, St Mary's Adderbury
The exterior north wall is decorated with a fantastic frieze with carved animal, human, and mythological creatures.
Frieze carvings, St Mary's Adderbury
More of the frieze on the north wall; here is a mermaid with two tails.
Nave, St Mary's Adderbury,
The nave, begun in the 13th century, remodeled in the 14th century
East window, St Mary's Adderbury,
The chancel and east window. I am not normally a fan of Victorian restoration, but the work here is absolutely stunning. You won't see better carving anywhere, and the overall effect is one of light, space, and awe.
East window, St Mary's Adderbury
Detail of the east window in the chancel. Within the chancel is the coat of arms of William of Wykeham, one of the most powerful men of the medieval period, who was probably responsible for building of the chancel.
St Mary's Adderbury, corbel carving
Just a sample of the many, many corbel heads in the nave and aisles
St Mary's Adderbury, corbel carving
Another corbel head
St Mary's Adderbury, capital carving
The pier in the south aisle is decorated with heads of knights, while ...
St Mary's Adderbury, capital carving
... the pier in the north aisle depicts ladies in wimples
St Mary's Adderbury, capital carving
Capital carving in the north aisle of Adderbury St Mary's

Historic churches in Oxfordshire >>

photos of Adderbury © David Ross and Britain Express

OXFORDSHIRE FEATURES:

Oxford Heritage Guide

Featured articles
Rollright Stones - Uffington White Horse - Burford - Swinbrook - Vale of White Horse

  

HISTORY CORNER

Name the Historic attraction

Name the mystery historic attraction
See larger image



British Heritage Awards

Celebrate the best of British Heritage in our annual
British Heritage awards.

View this year's winners.

British History Quiz

This revolutionary artist, architect, and landscape gardener helped develop the peculiarly English style of landscape gardening



 Clue

This Day in British History

12 February, 1554

Lady Jane Grey executed

Grey became famous as the 'Nine Days Queen', a pawn in the ambitions of the Earl of Northumberland

Monarch Mayhem

The third son of George III, he ruled after his elder brother died in 1830



 Clue




Accommodation
Oxfordshire

The Coach House

Highworth
Self catering cottage

This converted Grade II Listed stone coach house is set in beautiful gardens and the surrounding countryside of the Vale of the White Horse. Well … more >>
Sleeps 5

More cottages in Oxfordshire >>


Oxfordshire

The Courtyard Cottage

Witney
Self catering cottage

Large and very comfortable sitting room with wood burning stove and exposed beams. Fully fitted kitchen with dining area. Beamed double bedroom with 6' zip … more >>
Sleeps 2

More cottages in Oxfordshire >>



Witney (Hotel)

Witney Four Pillars Hotel

Witney Four Pillars Hotel is a traditional Cotswold style hotel. Situated just 10 miles from Oxford and 7 miles from Burford, gateway to the Cotswolds. Features include lounge, newly refurbished lounge bar and restaurant, leisure club, outdoor seating and onsite free car parking. more >>

More hotels in Oxfordshire >>


Banbury (Hotel)

Mercure Whately Hall Hotel

A 3 star hotel in an idyllic 17th Century setting with hidden staircases, original wooden beams & stone fireplace. Offering 69 ensuite rooms. The hotel is deal for exploring the Cotswolds, Stratford Upon Avon, Oxford, Woodstcock & Warwick. Minutes from Banbury railway and coach stations, and 30 miles from Birmingham … more >>

More hotels in Oxfordshire >>