Carlton Curlieu is a small community set in the hilly terrain of south-east Leicestershire, and its church is fairly well hidden on approaching the village, set back from the lane and sheltered by an enclosure of trees, so it would be easy to pass by and not even be aware of its presence. Fortunately I came prepared so knew whereabouts to look!

The church at first sight appears to be an entirely late Georgian brick building with later alterations to the windows but the west tower is still substantially a Norman structure with a topmost belfry stage dating from 1686. The rest of the church was indeed rebuilt in 1767, a long brick oblong with no structural difference between nave and chancel, though the windows were needlessly 'Gothicised' in 1880, thus destroying the building's former Georgian character.

The interior thus feels more like a Victorian space although it retains its whitewashed simplicity. At the west end however is the most important architectural feature here, a fine Norman archway at the base of the tower, complete with carved chevron-decoration. The other item of interest here is more easily missed: the opening towards the eastern end of the north wall at first glance appears to be merely an organ chamber, but peering behind if reveals the early 17th century tomb with effigies of Sir John Bale and his wife, thus an interior that might not seem to promise much on first impressions still has its secrets.

I'm unsure of the normal opening arrangements here, a few churches were more welcoming in this part of the county pre-Covid, and I was very pleased to find it open for Ride & Stride after a hilly ride to get here.

Tags:   Carlton Curlieu church Leicestershire

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Carlton Curlieu is a small community set in the hilly terrain of south-east Leicestershire, and its church is fairly well hidden on approaching the village, set back from the lane and sheltered by an enclosure of trees, so it would be easy to pass by and not even be aware of its presence. Fortunately I came prepared so knew whereabouts to look!

The church at first sight appears to be an entirely late Georgian brick building with later alterations to the windows but the west tower is still substantially a Norman structure with a topmost belfry stage dating from 1686. The rest of the church was indeed rebuilt in 1767, a long brick oblong with no structural difference between nave and chancel, though the windows were needlessly 'Gothicised' in 1880, thus destroying the building's former Georgian character.

The interior thus feels more like a Victorian space although it retains its whitewashed simplicity. At the west end however is the most important architectural feature here, a fine Norman archway at the base of the tower, complete with carved chevron-decoration. The other item of interest here is more easily missed: the opening towards the eastern end of the north wall at first glance appears to be merely an organ chamber, but peering behind if reveals the early 17th century tomb with effigies of Sir John Bale and his wife, thus an interior that might not seem to promise much on first impressions still has its secrets.

I'm unsure of the normal opening arrangements here, a few churches were more welcoming in this part of the county pre-Covid, and I was very pleased to find it open for Ride & Stride after a hilly ride to get here.

Tags:   Carlton Curlieu church Leicestershire

© All Rights Reserved

Carlton Curlieu is a small community set in the hilly terrain of south-east Leicestershire, and its church is fairly well hidden on approaching the village, set back from the lane and sheltered by an enclosure of trees, so it would be easy to pass by and not even be aware of its presence. Fortunately I came prepared so knew whereabouts to look!

The church at first sight appears to be an entirely late Georgian brick building with later alterations to the windows but the west tower is still substantially a Norman structure with a topmost belfry stage dating from 1686. The rest of the church was indeed rebuilt in 1767, a long brick oblong with no structural difference between nave and chancel, though the windows were needlessly 'Gothicised' in 1880, thus destroying the building's former Georgian character.

The interior thus feels more like a Victorian space although it retains its whitewashed simplicity. At the west end however is the most important architectural feature here, a fine Norman archway at the base of the tower, complete with carved chevron-decoration. The other item of interest here is more easily missed: the opening towards the eastern end of the north wall at first glance appears to be merely an organ chamber, but peering behind if reveals the early 17th century tomb with effigies of Sir John Bale and his wife, thus an interior that might not seem to promise much on first impressions still has its secrets.

I'm unsure of the normal opening arrangements here, a few churches were more welcoming in this part of the county pre-Covid, and I was very pleased to find it open for Ride & Stride after a hilly ride to get here.

Tags:   Carlton Curlieu church Leicestershire

© All Rights Reserved

Carlton Curlieu is a small community set in the hilly terrain of south-east Leicestershire, and its church is fairly well hidden on approaching the village, set back from the lane and sheltered by an enclosure of trees, so it would be easy to pass by and not even be aware of its presence. Fortunately I came prepared so knew whereabouts to look!

The church at first sight appears to be an entirely late Georgian brick building with later alterations to the windows but the west tower is still substantially a Norman structure with a topmost belfry stage dating from 1686. The rest of the church was indeed rebuilt in 1767, a long brick oblong with no structural difference between nave and chancel, though the windows were needlessly 'Gothicised' in 1880, thus destroying the building's former Georgian character.

The interior thus feels more like a Victorian space although it retains its whitewashed simplicity. At the west end however is the most important architectural feature here, a fine Norman archway at the base of the tower, complete with carved chevron-decoration. The other item of interest here is more easily missed: the opening towards the eastern end of the north wall at first glance appears to be merely an organ chamber, but peering behind if reveals the early 17th century tomb with effigies of Sir John Bale and his wife, thus an interior that might not seem to promise much on first impressions still has its secrets.

I'm unsure of the normal opening arrangements here, a few churches were more welcoming in this part of the county pre-Covid, and I was very pleased to find it open for Ride & Stride after a hilly ride to get here.

Tags:   Carlton Curlieu church Leicestershire

© All Rights Reserved

Carlton Curlieu is a small community set in the hilly terrain of south-east Leicestershire, and its church is fairly well hidden on approaching the village, set back from the lane and sheltered by an enclosure of trees, so it would be easy to pass by and not even be aware of its presence. Fortunately I came prepared so knew whereabouts to look!

The church at first sight appears to be an entirely late Georgian brick building with later alterations to the windows but the west tower is still substantially a Norman structure with a topmost belfry stage dating from 1686. The rest of the church was indeed rebuilt in 1767, a long brick oblong with no structural difference between nave and chancel, though the windows were needlessly 'Gothicised' in 1880, thus destroying the building's former Georgian character.

The interior thus feels more like a Victorian space although it retains its whitewashed simplicity. At the west end however is the most important architectural feature here, a fine Norman archway at the base of the tower, complete with carved chevron-decoration. The other item of interest here is more easily missed: the opening towards the eastern end of the north wall at first glance appears to be merely an organ chamber, but peering behind if reveals the early 17th century tomb with effigies of Sir John Bale and his wife, thus an interior that might not seem to promise much on first impressions still has its secrets.

I'm unsure of the normal opening arrangements here, a few churches were more welcoming in this part of the county pre-Covid, and I was very pleased to find it open for Ride & Stride after a hilly ride to get here.

Tags:   Carlton Curlieu church Leicestershire stained glass window Victorian Clayton & Bell

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