The Church of St Peter at Besford: 14th century gem

The Church of St Peter at Besford is one of the very few medieval timber framed churches still existing in Britain today.

Besford is a small village in Worcestershire.

This magnificent looking structure (pictured above) is Grade II listed - and it’s a wonderful example of English church architecture.

A Grade 2 listed building is defined as a UK building or structure that is "of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it".

Built in the 14th century, this magnificent structure is included in Simon Jenkins’ England’s 1000 Best Churches.

St. Peter's Church was described by William Habington as 'a poore chappell buylded part of stone and the rest of timber, but yealde the plenty of armes.'

The church consists of a chancel 20 ft. by 13 ft - the chancel is generally the area used by the clergy and choir during worship, while the congregation is in the nave.

The old chancel, now practically rebuilt, was apparently of early 13th-century date and was the earliest portion of the building.

The timber-framed nave was built in the late 14th or early 15th century and the south porch added soon after.

The wooden fittings of the church are of particular interest.

The rood-loft rests on a beam supported on curved struts and posts against the walls.

It is of the 15th century, the beam being embattled and having a band of vine carving along the front of which only a portion at the north end is original.

The partially rebuilt stone chancel, and the timber frame nave, is the only example in Worcestershire.

Wood features too in one of the monuments; that to Richard Harwell of Besford Court, who died in 1576 aged 15.

His alabaster effigy is surrounded by a wooden lattice. And there is a painted wooden triptych in the nave.

It dates from the end of the 16th century, and its panels shows scenes that are reminders of the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

The Church of St Peter is part of the Bredon Hill Group of Churches - another beautiful church that is part of the group is Deform: St James (pictured below) another Grade II listed gem in Worcestershire.

The Church of St James in the Parish of Defford looks good from any angle!

Inside the church is quite charming too.

For a large part of the history of Britain, the Christian church has held significant influence.

After missionaries arrived on the shores of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms around the turn of the seventh century, the Christian faith spread throughout Britain and inspired the construction of many religious buildings and monuments.

While many of these ancient churches have been lost to history, ransacked by invaders and fallen victim to conflict, neglect and decay, some still survive.

Some of the oldest buildings still in use in Britain are churches, and when visiting these ancient buildings today it is worth taking a moment to wonder – what ancient tales do they have to tell?

If you’d like to visit the lovely church, it can be found in Besford, a small village near Pershore.

Other noticeable buildings in this village include a historic house, Besford Court (another Grade II*-listed building).

Besford Court was once used as a school known as Besford Court Hospital.

The church address is: Harewell Lane, Besford, Worcestershire, WR8 9AP.

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