Old All Saints Church, Nuneham Courtenay

Old All Saints Church is a limestone structure featuring a copper-covered dome and a portico supported by six Ionic columns that face the River Thames and parkland. The building combines neoclassical proportions with classical temple features throughout its design.

Simon Harcourt commissioned the building in 1764 following the demolition of the medieval village church to make room for his designed landscape gardens. This action was part of a broader transformation of the estate during the 18th century.

The interior houses Italian furnishings from the 17th and 18th centuries, including carved choir stalls and decorative plaster panels inscribed with religious texts. These pieces reflect the tastes of wealthy patrons who valued Continental craftsmanship and artistic detail.

The site is reachable from the Global Retreat car park, which requires a walk of approximately 200 meters across open grass to reach the entrance. The flat terrain makes for easy walking, though visitors should wear appropriate footwear for damp ground conditions.

The building incorporates architectural elements inspired by ancient Palmyra temples, including semicircular Diocletian windows positioned at the sides. The half-domed east and west fronts give the structure an unusual symmetrical appearance that few visitors initially notice.

Location: Nuneham Courtenay

Inception: 1764

Architects: Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Website: http://visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/All-Saints-Church-Nuneham-Courtenay-Oxfordshire

GPS coordinates: 51.68050,-1.21820

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43