St Edburgha's Church, Yardley

St Edburgha's Church in Yardley is a medieval parish church featuring a 149-foot tower with an octagonal spire added in the 1400s. The building displays a cross shape with north and south transepts, a 13th-century chancel, eight bells, and an organ with 34 speaking stops.

Construction of the church began around 1250, with the tower and spire added around 1461. It served as the main religious center for Yardley until Marston Chapel opened in the early 1700s, creating a second parish church in the area.

The north aisle doorway displays carved roses and pomegranates from the Tudor period, reflecting royal connections that reached even small parish churches. These carvings show how important events at court left marks on local religious buildings.

Visiting during daylight hours is best for viewing the interior details and carvings clearly. The church sits on uneven historic ground and is approached on foot, so wearing suitable footwear helps with comfortable exploration.

Mysterious scraped marks at the tower base have no clear explanation for their purpose or origin. The roof timbers also display a carved decoration showing the Five Wounds of Christ, details that became more visible during the 1997 restoration work.