St Mary's Church, Edlesborough

2013-06-26

A towered landmark with a gloriously decorated interior

On an isolated chalk hillock with fine views from its churchyard, St Mary's is a noble landmark in the vale of Aylesbury; it has a massive 14th-century limestone tower and the rest is to scale.

Inside, it is a treasure house of delights, including:

• medieval woodwork (including a complete chancel screen);
• amazing Victorian wallpaintings and stained glass;
• a slender pulpit with a superbly carved 4-tier tester;
• choir desks and stalls.

There is also a collection of carved wooden misericords. These little ledges, for people to rest on during long prayers, are decorated with fantastical carved creatures – look out for the stern-faced mermaid suckling a lion and the two-headed beast with ferocious claws.

Discover more about the wallpaintings in this church