English Heritage sites near Steppingley Parish
HOUGHTON HOUSE
3 miles from Steppingley Parish
Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
DE GREY MAUSOLEUM, FLITTON
3 miles from Steppingley Parish
Among the largest sepulchral chapels attached to any English church, this cruciform mausoleum houses a remarkable sequence of 17 sculpted and effigied monuments.
WREST PARK
5 miles from Steppingley Parish
Explore the evolution of the English garden and take a stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest Park.
BUSHMEAD PRIORY
17 miles from Steppingley Parish
Bushmead Priory is a rare survival of the complete refectory of an Augustinian priory, with a fine timber roof and notable 14th century wall paintings.
BERKHAMSTED CASTLE
17 miles from Steppingley Parish
Visit the substantial remains of a strong and important motte and bailey castle dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, with surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks.
OLD GORHAMBURY HOUSE
19 miles from Steppingley Parish
The remains of a once immense mansion built in 1563-8 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Queen Elizabeth’s Lord Keeper and visited by the queen on at least four occasions.
Churches in Steppingley Parish
St Lawrence Steppingley
Steppingley
Bedfordshire
01525 795417
http://www.steppingley.org/st-lawrence-church
Built of local red-brown sandstone excavated at Green End, Maulden, the church is an example of the Early Decorated and Perpendicular styles of 14th century architecture. It consists of a chancel, nave, vestry, north aisle and a western tower containing four bells. The broad and regular tower is supported by buttresses which terminate half-way up each wall. An embattled newel-turret rises above the tower and below the embattlements are four gargoyles, one at each corner. The register of the church dates from 1562.
St Lawrence Church was rebuilt in 1860 on the site of an earlier church, which collapsed when repairs were undertaken to rectify an outward leaning wall. The new church was designed by the architect, Henry Clutton, who also designed the Romanesque church at Woburn, and the rebuilding was financed by the Duke of Bedford and the rector.
St Lawrence Church was restored in 1912 by the Duke of Bedford and in the course of excavations in the chancel, 531 English and Scotch silver coins of 13th century were found. It is thought that these were offerings of patients of a former rector, John de Schorne, who acquired fame for his healing powers.
The church has undergone recent refurbishment work which resulted in the wonderful internal painting and restoration works which now compliment the church and make it a relaxing and interesting place to worship and rest/contemplate. The bell tower has also undergone amazing restoration work which means now the old 4 bells are now 6, with our very own and visiting bell ringing groups making good use of the 1st rate bells and facilities
Pubs in Steppingley Parish
Drovers Arms
Flitwick Road, Steppingley, MK45 5BA
(01525) 715697
droversarms.eu
French Horn
Church End, Steppingley, MK45 5AU
(01525) 721225
thefrenchhornsteppingley.co.uk/