Nominal: 777.5 Hz Weight: 1120 lbs Diameter: 38.88" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by James Keene 1631
Dove Bell ID: 292 Tower ID: 15490 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Astwood: St Peter
Overview
Grid reference: SP 950 473
The small Medieval church of St Peter is located at the north-western edge of the historic village of Astwood, which now stands on the south side of a busy road. Most of the architectural fabric and details are of the 14th century, but the church has developed over many phases of construction. It is constructed of limestone in a 3-bay nave with south aisle, west tower, chancel and south porch.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay nave with south aisle, west tower, chancel, south porch.
Dimensions:
Nave 16m (52ft) x 5m (16ft), aisle 3m wide, chancel 9m (30ft) long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 226 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Astwood is a historic village, the first mention of a church is in 1187 in regard to Tickford Priory holding the advowson of a chapel here, vicars are recorded since 1298. 12th and 13th century moulded stonework is said to be built into the upper tower. Most architectural details are now of the 14th century when the chancel was lengthened and aisle added, and the 15th when the tower was added. The clearstorey, aisle roof and some fittings are mid or late 16th century.
The church was hit by two German bombs in 1940 which damaged the nave and porch. The nave was unroofed until 1963 when a concrete truss roof was put in and the interior was renovated, work on the floors unearthed the 'Weston' brass now displayed in the church. More renovation was undertaken in the 1980s.
Archaeological remains can be expected on this site, and the local authority and HER should be consulted if any development is considered. There are no designations relating to the ecology, despite this the ancient churchyard is potentially an ecological reservoir, although no audit has been undertaken.
Exterior Description
3-stage short and thick embattled west tower of coursed rubble masonry with decreasing angle buttresses. Polygonal stair turret on south-west corner. Lozenge clock faces to south and north on middle stage, much renewed. 2-light belfry openings, alternately square-headed (east, west) and pointed.
Good unrestored 14th-century tracery to the south aisle windows which decrease in size from east to west, the easternmost a fine 3-light, the others 2-lights. Late 15th- or early 16th-century clearstorey 3-light windows of plain arches and one square-headed similar north nave window below (but pointed on inside) in the east bay. In the west bay a blocked pointed 14th-century doorway.
The lower and steeply pitched chancel roof decked with tiles stands out from the rest of the building. The north chancel wall is blind and concrete rendered but for a small square-headed cusped low-side window in the west bay, a partly blocked window in the west bay of the south walls has a stepped ledge inside, square-headed 2-light to the east bay. East window is a fine tall pointed Perpendicular 3-light.
Building Materials
Limestone
Lead
flat leaded roof to aisle
Concrete
replaced nave roof
Tile
chancel and porch roofs
Interior
Interior Description
The tower is still used for bell ringing, the ringing floor enclosed within a wooden screen within the pointed tower arch. Attached to this are photographs of the church showing the war damage. Looking east, the walls are bare except for the aisle and chancel which are whitewashed, plain glazing throughout gives the interior a soft and mature ambience.
The nave roof has concrete trusses, but the aisle has a late 15th or early 16th structure. The floor of the nave is of concrete and boarding following the war damage, the nave seating is early 20th century benches. The south aisle however has benches with 16th century ends, straight-topped and moulded with buttresses.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
18th century oak holy table with turned legs
Pulpit
18th century octagonal pulpit with fielded panels
Lectern
wooden reading desk
Font (component)
13th century plain octagonal bowl on base with 4 slender shafts and remains of carving between
Bells
Nominal: 998.5 Hz Weight: 776 lbs Diameter: 33.5" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by London ('Balcombe shield')
Dove Bell ID: 9191 Tower ID: 15490 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 887 Hz Weight: 958 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by London ('Balcombe shield')
Dove Bell ID: 9192 Tower ID: 15490 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1666
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 950 473
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
Showing 6 entries of 6 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.