Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

On the 15th century tower is a unique, one handed clock, painted direct onto the stonework. It is 16.5 feet in diameter and the hand is 9 feet long. There is a chapel dedicated to the memory of airmen who lost their lives on operations from nearby RAF Coningsby.

There is a peal of six bells, three of which are medieval. In 1970 the ancient tower was repaired and a new buttress built. Funds for the past and future church maintenance have been and still are raised by local efforts and the generous donations of visitors.

An ancient church building with its roots in the 11th Century, years of fascinating history and now a vibrant cafe and community centre with a contemporary feel. How did all that happen?

Rebuilt on the site of the medieval church, which was destroyed by a bomb on the night of 8th/9th May 1941, St Michael's is built of concrete with Ancaster stone facings outside. The tall windows allow the building to be filled with light. Unusually, there is no east window.

Standing forlorn, with only a farm for company, St Michael's is a precious little building. Although restored in 1877 and built of a patchwork of greenstone and brick, the church is essentially Norman.

12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian's Wall and the Roman fort of Aballava and situated alongside the Hadrian's wall Path and cycleway. King Edward I (Longshanks) died nearby and lay in State in the church for ten days in 1307. One of only three fortified churches in Cumbria, with visible architectural features from the turbulent past of this border area.

It is thought that a wooden church may have existed in Aldbourne as early as the 7th or 8th century and the Domesday Book (1086) records that the church held two hides of land, sufficient for two plough teams, to provide for the church and priest.

The church of St Michael & All Angels is situated on a hill in the ancient parish of Arthuret and overlooks the market town of Longtown with fine views of the surrounding countryside.

This pretty timber framed church stands to the west of the village of Great Altcar. It has been described by Pevsner as ‘an utterly charming church'.

The church is attached to the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort, Badminton House and was built in 1785 by Charles Evans, in the style of St Martin in the Fields in miniature, but with a plain west tower.