The main part of the church dates from 1591, though parts of the tower is said to date from around 1350. Built from the local ironstone, which was quarried in the south of the parish.

Inside the church contains a number of victorian and early 20th century stained glasss windows. The above three photos show two memorial windows to those that fought in the 1914-1918 war the central photo is the East window. The church also has two other memorial windows and one set in the bell tower.

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Originally built in 1848 as a school by William Butterfield, with the schoolmaster living in the tower. It was also used as a church on Sundays, but became a chapel in 1905 and then as a church in 1925 when it was dedicated St Edmund (841-869).

Access: Open.

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The small church of St. Mark was built with railway money in 1891 as compensation for the disruption to the nearby ancient village of Wolfhampcote. The railway was closed to passengers in 1952. However, freight trains ran along the line until 1963.

Access: open on day of visit

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St Mary’s parish church was part of Canons Ashby Priory. The white ashlar trefoil arches of the west front are c1250 built by Augustinians. The large west window is of later construction, and the tower was built c1350.

Today the church consists of just two bays of the original medieval building, the rest was demolished to by the Copes and Drydens in the late 16th century to build their respective homes.

One of the floor tiles is embossed with the Dryden Coat of Arms which has the addition of the “Red Hand of Ulster” to normal Dryden Arms. The “Red Hand of Ulster” is a frequent ornament to much of the Canons Ashby House.

Access: Open same time as National Trust property.

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