St Peter's Church, Langley Burrell

This has to be perhaps one of those churches - a churchcrawler's church, nothing top-class architecturally, nor anything that “wows” the tourist, yet everything comes together to leave a satisfying experience and a sense of regret when it is time to leave. A big sign points northwards to the church, where the road to the main part of the village turns east. That was the last really useful sign, and it was only a very small home-made sign pointing to the right that leads you into a spot to park the car. The church lies beyond this space, invisible from the road, among the trees.

The tower stands in a south transeptal position and is a massive structure. Attached to its western face is the porch, with a door to the tower and another into the church. Above is a fine 15th century vault with large bosses. I walk around the church and discover in the base of the tower is an elaborate 14th century tomb recess and monument, ravaged by the centuries of weather yet still demonstrating some splendour. The tomb slab has only the heads of the couple and it looks like this was always thus. On the north side is an ornate aisle bristling with pinnacles. Back in the porch and the door yields to my twist and push.

(Information provided by Phil Draper)