St John, Croglin

St John
Croglin
Cumbria

Croglin, a tiny collection of houses, lays about fifteen miles South East of Carlisle, on the B6413 and sandwiched between Newbiggin to the North and Renwick to the South. This pretty little church lays a few yards across the road from a house known as The Old Pele, and identified as being an early 15th century pele tower, most likely built as a place of protection for the local vicar, and widely regarded as the most complete example of this type of building in the area.

The church dates from 1878, when the old church, reported as being in a poor state of repair at the time, was demolished and replaced with this red sand stone building we see today. In all likely hood, some of the building materials from the original building were incorporated into the new church. This new building cost £900 and was built to designs by J.Howison of Edinburgh.

There is a tomb stone in the graveyard to Robert, Bishop of Carlisle, dated 1278, and in the porch, which was unfortunately locked, there is a grave slab dedicated to a woman named as Hisabella, probably dating from sometime between 1250 and 1300.

All Saints, Burton in Lonsdale

All Saints
Burton in Lonsdale
North Yorkshire

Known as the 'Last Village in Yorkshire' Burton in Lonsdale can lay claim to having one of the best Motte and Bailey castles in the whole of the UK. As well as this Norman edifice, it also plays host to the spectacular church of All Saints, which lays set back a few yards from the A687 as it passes through the village from Ingleton to Lancaster.

The church is Grade II listed, and was built to a design by E.G.Paley of Paley and Austin of Lancaster between 1868 and 1876. It was funded entirely by Thomas Thornton, who gave the site of his Grandparent's house over for the church.

Photo of the church with the Motte and Bailey castle 'next door'.

Photo of the church from across the River. The church was locked when I visited, so I don't think it is open for ad-hoc visits.

(Not the best photos. They will be replaced in the future.)

St Mary, Rydal

St Mary
Rydal
Cumbria

St Marys can be found about a mile and a half North West of Ambleside, set back off the A591. Just up the road, less than a hundred yards in fact, Rydal Mount is set back in the trees. Built in 1824 under the guidance of Lady Le Fleming, on a spot chosen by William Wordsworth, and adjoining Dora's Field, this church is set amongst some of the Lake District's finest countryside. The gallery, still in place at the rear of the church, was erected for the sole use of the Le Fleming family. Unlike so many churches in the area, the gallery was never removed.

William Wordsworth was Church Warden here from 1833 to 1834, and regularly worshipped here. The church is built upon a rocky outcrop, totally unsuitable for burials, and as such does not have a grave yard. The field next to the church was originally purchased by Wordsworth to build a house on...however the house was never built, and when Dora his daughter died in 1847, he dedicated the field as a wild flower meadow, planting numerous daffodils with his wife. The National Trust now manage the meadow, which is accessible through the church yard.

Holy Trinity, Brathay

Holy Trinity
Brathay
Cumbria

The beautiful grade II listed church of Holy Trinity at Brathay, can be found a mile south West of Ambleside on the A593 to Skelwith Bridge. The church sits on an outcrop of rock above the River Brathay overlooking the wooded river banks. Built around 1836, the church was almost totally funded by the Redmayne family, and is built in a distinct Italianate style.

The church does not lay in the traditional East West aspect, but instead lays in a North South aspect....due to the lay of the small area of land upon which is built.

Set in a beautiful location, and only a stones throw from the Lake District, this church is well worth a visit. I don't think it is kept unlocked as a matter of course though.

Holy Trinity, Bardsea

Holy Trinity
Bardsea
Cumbria

The A5087 makes for a fantastic coastal drive, especially the few miles between Ulverston and Barrow in Furness. The church looks out across Morecambe Bay, about two and half miles South of Ulverston and only a mile or so from Conishead Priory.

Built in 1843, and Grade II listed, it is another example of the architectural legacy left behind by the Websters of Kendal. It contains a number of stained glass windows, including a 20th century window by Wilhelmina Geddes and some 19th century windows by Shrigley and Hunt. Check the link out.

St Mark, Dolphinholme

St Mark
Dolphinholme
Lancashire

Dolphinholme is a small village some eight miles South East of Lancaster. The village is hidden away to the East of the A6. The church can be found on Church Close, just off Anyon Lane, and is set in a beautiful and quiet church yard.

St Marks was built between 1897 and 1899 by the Lancaster firm, Austin and Paley, replacing a church built in 1839. This earlier church was only consecrated in 1862, but no trace of it survives today. The church cost in the region of £3000.

As the above view shows (the rear of the church) the tower is low and squat and has a stark stair turret built into its South East corner.

The church would appear to be open for inspection, and there is parking nearby.

St John and St Mary, Yealand Conyers

St John and St Mary
Yealand Conyers
Lancashire

The village of Yealand Conyers lays about seven miles North of Lancaster on the A6. It is home to two churches, one Roman Catholic, and one Church of England. A Friends Meeting house was built in 1692, and Yealand Conyers is notable in that up to this time, most of the village's population were Quakers.

St Mary (RC) can be found at the junctions of Snape Lane and Hyning Road at the South end of the village. Built around 1852, its design can be attributed to Paley of Lancaster (of Paley and Austin fame) It is a grade II listed building, and built on the site of an earlier church (possibly dating from 1782)

The church has an open double bellcote, although only one now has a bell hanging in it. Local legend has it that during the persecution of those who continued to follow the Catholic faith, a priest would quite often be hidden in nearby Leighton Hall. Before the church was built, the chapel at Leighton Hall would quite often be used for worhip.

There is a car park next to the church yard for closer inspection.

The Church of St John lays to the North East of the village down Kylbarrow Lane, only a few hundred yards off the A6. The church, again a Grade II listed building, was erected in 1838, and has undergone expansion and rebuilding in 1861 and 1882.

The church has a 'stout' West tower and is altogether larger than its compatriot St Mary.

St Johns was elevated to Parish Church status on the 25th of September 1870, before which time it was a chapelry to St Oswald in Warton. There is very little parking here. Both churches appear to be kept locked, except for services.

For further information on Yealand, see this link.