Tidmington Church
Tidmington church (formerly with no dedication but now designated as the Church of the Acension) lies almost completely hidden among the trees beside the main road south of Shipston on Stour. Only an anonymous gate with slight glimpses of gravestones beyond gives any indication of it's presence so close to the traffic, so it is very easy to pass by and be quite unaware of its presence.
The pyramid-capped tower dates from c1200 and preserves ancient corbels with faces at roof level. The rest of the building was largely rebuilt in 1874-5 but preserves other features from the twelfth century onwards. The simple interior retains a few ancient features, such as a pair of early corbel-heads supporting the tower arch and an unusual Norman font, with a single figure of Christ enthroned carved onto its eastern face (sadly damaged) along with a few old benches and a royal arms over the chancel arch. The late Victorian glass in three windows is by the prolific firm of Lavers & Westlake.
Tidmington church was the source of some frustration to me for many years, being the only ancient church in the area I couldn't gain entry to, finding it locked on at least three occasions much to my chagrin (I even tried enquiring at the adjoining hall to no avail as nobody there knew of a keyholder).
However I did latterly see others having better luck than me, and on my most recent visit (with a group from the local diocese) we were given a very warm reception by some delightful local ladies who seemed quite surprised to hear of my previous difficulties gaining entry and assured me the church is now normally kept open during the day, so I'm hoping the frustrations I encountered are now a thing of the past.
Tidmington Church
Tidmington church (formerly with no dedication but now designated as the Church of the Acension) lies almost completely hidden among the trees beside the main road south of Shipston on Stour. Only an anonymous gate with slight glimpses of gravestones beyond gives any indication of it's presence so close to the traffic, so it is very easy to pass by and be quite unaware of its presence.
The pyramid-capped tower dates from c1200 and preserves ancient corbels with faces at roof level. The rest of the building was largely rebuilt in 1874-5 but preserves other features from the twelfth century onwards. The simple interior retains a few ancient features, such as a pair of early corbel-heads supporting the tower arch and an unusual Norman font, with a single figure of Christ enthroned carved onto its eastern face (sadly damaged) along with a few old benches and a royal arms over the chancel arch. The late Victorian glass in three windows is by the prolific firm of Lavers & Westlake.
Tidmington church was the source of some frustration to me for many years, being the only ancient church in the area I couldn't gain entry to, finding it locked on at least three occasions much to my chagrin (I even tried enquiring at the adjoining hall to no avail as nobody there knew of a keyholder).
However I did latterly see others having better luck than me, and on my most recent visit (with a group from the local diocese) we were given a very warm reception by some delightful local ladies who seemed quite surprised to hear of my previous difficulties gaining entry and assured me the church is now normally kept open during the day, so I'm hoping the frustrations I encountered are now a thing of the past.