Little Barford, St Denys Church

Little Barford, St Denys Church

A small Norman church in meadows near the River Great Ouse, St Denys, Little Barford, has a nave, chancel, and an embattled west tower. The most interesting historic feature is the finely carved Norman doorway.

Within the interior, the most interesting historical features are the 14th-century font and 15th-century screen. There is also a nicely carved 15th-century piscina, and an Elizabethan memorial brass. The overall decoration, however, is distinctly Victorian, the result of extensive restoration by Arthur Blomfield from 1869-1871.

There is also a vividly coloured west window in the tower featuring glass by the Kempe studio, who supplied so many churches with glass in the mid to late Victorian period.

St Denys Church is a bit awkward to find. If you are coming down the B1043 from the direction of St Neots, turn right opposite a row of thatched cottages. This will take you onto a private drive, from whence you turn right, over a large tree stump, and onto a narrow track between a pair of buildings. This will take you to the church.