Historic Churches in Derbyshire

A superb medieval church, begun by William the Conqueror's illegitimate son, and featuring a wealth of carved Saxon stones, a pair of Saxon churchyard crosses, and the ornate tombs of the Vernon and Manners families of Haddon Hall. One of the finest parish churches in Britain.
South Church Street, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England, DE45 1FD

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Heritage Highlight: Two Saxon crosses and a large collection of Saxon carved stones
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Bonsall's claim to fame is that the chancel is higher than the nave by more than any other English church. The delightful 13th-century church is decorated with a profusion of grinning gargoyles. Inside is the memorial to Henry Ferne, who served first William and Mary, then George I, as Receiver General.
Church Street, Bonsall, Derbyshire, England, DE4 2AE

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Heritage Highlight: The highest chancel in England
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A late 11th or early 12th-century church begun by William Peveril, the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror, who built nearby Peveril Castle. Look for the finely carved Norman chancel arch, Norman font, and 1609 copy of the 'Breeches Bible'.
Castle Street, Castleton, Derbyshire, England, S33 8WG

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century chancel arch
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Chesterfield's medieval parish church is dedicated to St Mary and All Saints but is commonly known as The Crooked Spire Church because of its striking 13th-century spire, which is twisted at an alarming angle due to green timber and the weight of lead tiles. Look for 15th-century screens, a Norman font, and 16th-century tombs of the Foljambe family.
Church Way, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, S40 1XJ

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Heritage Highlight: The famous 13th-century twisted spire
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A fascinating mish-mash of styles co-exist in this historic town centre church. The oldest parts are the tower, built from 1601 in very early Gothic Survival style. The chancel was built in 1690, but the rest of the building is the result of a major rebuilding project by Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1895.
Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, England, DE1 1UZ

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St Peter's church is a Victorian Gothic tour-de-force, built by Sir Gilbert Scott for the Duke of Devonshire and featuring an ornate early 17th-century memorial to 2 sons of Bess of Hardwick. In the churchyard are graves of the Cavendish family, as well as architect Joseph Paxton, who built the entire village for the 6th Duke.
Edensor, Derbyshire, England, DE45 1PH

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Heritage Highlight: Cavendish memorial erected by Bess of Hardwick
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St Lawrence church dates to the 13th century but stands on the site of a Saxon church. There is an 8th-century Celtic cross in the churchyard and a late Saxon font inside the church. Look for the Plague Window, telling the story of Eyam and how the villagers quarantined themselves to prevent the spread of plague to nearby villages in 1665.
Church Street, Eyam, Derbyshire, England, S32 5QH

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Heritage Highlight: 8th-century Saxon cross
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The delightful little church of All Saints stands within the grounds of historic Kedleston Hall, home of the Curzon family. Monuments to generations of Curzons, dating back over 700 years, fill the church.
Kedleston Hall, Kedleston, Derbyshire, England, DE22 5JH

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St Michael and St Mary's Church is known as a 'cathedral in miniature'. This superb 12th-century church was probably built by Henry I to serve his royal manor at Melbourne. The church boasts outstanding 12th-century carved capitals including a grinning creature known as The Melbourne Cat.
Church Square, Melbourne, Derbyshire, England, DE73 8JH

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century carved capitals
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Known for its slender octagonal spire, St Leonard's was begun in the 12th century and boasts a 14th-century wooden parish chest, a 15th-century font, and a late 12th-century three-seat sedilia and piscina. Look for the encaustic tiles installed by Victorian architect William Butterfield.
Church Street, Monyash, Derbyshire, England, DE45 1JL

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Heritage Highlight: Late 12th-century sedilia
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