Top Churches Leics & Rutland
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My Top 20 Churches
My personal choice of the best twenty OPEN churches in Leicestershire & Rutland as added Sept 2011
Please check opening information before visit, click on the picture to go to the actual full entry. Arrows denote progress from last years top twenty.
1. Exton, St Peter & St Paul - Rutland
Straight in number one after being added in the Spring of 2011 this church ticks all the right boxes. A fantastic selection of monuments, and a church full of character from it's unusual tower to it's splendid interior. Set in a pretty village and looking like a 'picture postcard' church this should be visited. It is also open every day.
2. Breedon on the Hill, St Mary & St Hardulph - Leics
Knocked off the number one spot by Exton, the church at Breedon on the Hill perched on the edge of the quarry is worth a trip out with its grand views over the county. It also has one the best selection od Saxon carvings in the country plus some fine memorials to the Shirley family from nearby Staunton Harold Hall. Get some wind in your hair and make a visit, open every day.
3. Bottesford, St Mary the Virgin - Leics
Bottesford church has been the resting place for many of the Earls of Rutland for generations and the chancel is full of their grand monuments and memorials. The church also has a magnificent spire and a spacious light interior. It is extremely difficult to pick between any of the top three but Exton feels less 'cluttered' and you have more space to admire the monuments. Open daily.
4. Tickencote, St Peter - Rutland
Another new entry in 2010-2011 with the dramatic Norman chancel arch at Tickencote. Perhaps one of the most detailed in a parish church and it creates a real impact. There is also a 'rebuilt' Norman vaulted roof in the chancel and many more items of interest in this fascinating church. The exterior is also worth further examination. Not to be missed and open daily.
5. Melton Mowbray, St Mary - Leics
Always a good excuse to stock up on Stilton cheese and the famous Pork Pies whilst visiting this grand church. With its cruciform layout and its 48 clerestory windows this is a real treat to visit. The huge supporting tower arches and the varied monuments and memorials make this worthy of a trip out. Open daily, car parking nearby. Down from third place last year.
6. Kings Norton, St John the Baptist - Leics
If I was choosing this list purely on the architecture and design then for me this would be number one. John Wing the Younger created a beautiful building and one I do keep visiting. It has no grand monuments or memorials, but has real character and is well worth a visit. Open Saturday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm so please visit.
7. Staunton Harold, Holy Trinity - Leics
Dropping down the list slightly the National Trust church at Staunton Harold has some fine monuments and painted ceilings. Box pews a plenty here, and the church is set in some beautiful parkland next to Staunton Harold Hall. With lakes and good walks and Breedon on the Hill a few miles away worth a day out. Good tearooms at Staunton too.
8. Ashby de la Zouch, St Helen's - Leics
With the Hastings Chapel and it's memorials plus its medieval finger pillory this grand church in Ashby should be on your list. Situated next door to the remains of Ashby Castle (which also should be visited) it is also near to the shopping areas and cafe's. Open every day.
9. Lyddington, St Andrew - Rutland
Lyddington is a very pretty village south of Uppingham that has a fine church and the remains os a Bedehouse which is run by English Heritage. The church has some unique features to Leicestershire & Rutland with medieval acoustic jars set in the chancel arch to 'amplify' the priests voice. The Bedehouse was once the Bishops residence when on his travels. Pretty location, some good pubs and open every day.
10. Ketton, St Mary the Virgin - Rutland
I was not prepared for Ketton, the fantastic 14th century spire is the first thing that strikes you, perhaps the best in the two counties and that includes Market Harborough's. The interior has some interesting features and the Norman west doorway has some fine detail. The church is always open (Rutland excel at this) and there is a pleasant pub a few doors down. New entry and straight in the top twenty.
11. Stapleford, St Mary Magdalene - Leics
The Earl's of Harborough are closely tied with this church and there is a fine grand memorial to 1st Earl of Harborough by Michael Rysback dated 1732. Perhaps one of the best pieces of sculpture in our churches in the two counties. Fine Georgian interior with gallery and set in a very peaceful location, worth a trip out. Open daily.
12. Stoke Dry, St Andrews - Rutland
Stoke Dry is small village overlooking Eyebrook reservoir. Pretty location and very pretty little church. Do not be deceived by it's diminutive statue, this church has plenty of interest hidden away inside. From medieval paintings, to Norman carvings and fine tombs. You have Lyddington a couple of miles away so why not take a trip out and visit both. Open daily.
13. Manton, St Mary - Rutland
Whoever looks after the pretty little churchyard at Manton deserves much credit as it is very well cared after. Inside we have some interesting features and the exterior is just as interesting with its many parts seemingly thrown together. This church has real character which sets it apart from many others. Open daily and a new entry in the 'top twenty'.
14. Withcote Chapel - Leics
Slipping down a few places the chapel at Withcote is unusual in several respects. The early Tudor building has a Georgian interior and a few paintings from the period. It has some fine glass and a over large font for the size of the chapel. A pleasing visit in a very rural area. On my last visit the vegetation was overgrown hopefully this has been rectified. Open daily.
15. Church Langton, St Peter - Leics
Another one of my favorites. This church and it's rector William Hanbury (18th century) fascinate me and his plans for a large 'minster' on the site are going to be examined further (when I get time). The imposing west tower and its postion overlooking much of the best parts of Leicestershire is an added bonus. Plenty of good walks around the 'Langtons' and the church is open daily.
16. Edith Weston, St Mary - Rutland
I do like this church. It has a fine vaulted chancel roof, double trancept and some interesting features and memorials. It also is closely tied with Normanton Church at Rutland Water and when the reservoir was formed the remains in the graveyard were cremated and a memorial setup in Edith Weston church. Worth a visit and open.
17. Allexton, St Peter - Leics
There was some doubt whether this would be in the top twenty, but with its beautiful Norman arcade it could not be left out. A pretty little church is a fine location on the border with Rutland. Worth a visit and visit Wardley Church on the way from Leicester as they are both just off the A46 and easily accessible. Open every day.
18. Wistow, St Wistan's - Leics
This popular church has a great Georgian interior with box pews and a grand memorial to Richard Halford. There is plenty going on nearby with good walks across the meadows, tea at Wistow centre and a maze next door which runs throughout the summer. Pretty location and worth a visit. Open summer only weekends.
19. Lubenham, All Saints - Leics
Bags of character at this pretty little church near Market Harborough with box pews, medieval painting and plenty of other items of interest. The covered pulpit is fine and the exterior with its well worn ironstone is most attractive. Visit, open daily.
20. Cathedral, St Martins - Leicester
I had a hard decision whether to add Leicester Cathedral but it does deserve to be on the list - just. It is large, has some good memorials, nice west gallery and impressive spire. However none of its features outweighs those on the list above. The memorials to the 'great and good' of Leicester are worth a look and the Guildhall is open next door. Worth a visit and open every day.
These are of course our top twenty and there are more of them to explore in the two counties all with their own stories and features - so please explore them, they are local, free to look round (although please leave a donation however small) and a great part of our local history.
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