St John the Baptist, Edlingham

St John the Baptist is a stone church with Norman architectural elements, including a barrel-vaulted south porch and round columns topped with scalloped capitals decorated with nail-head patterns. The tower was added later and gives the building its distinctive silhouette.

The original structure dates from 740 as a wooden building and was replaced by a stone church around 1050. The current tower was added in the 14th century, reflecting the site's long development over multiple periods.

The church holds the tomb of Sir William de Felton, builder of the nearby castle, with his coat of arms displayed above a wall recess. This monument shows how closely the building was linked to the local noble family.

Visitors can park on the grass verge leading to the church gates and combine their visit with a walk around the nearby castle. The access is straightforward and the surroundings reward a longer stay.

The tower includes narrow slit windows that served as shooting positions for archers during conflicts between England and Scotland. These defensive features show the building was as much a fortress as a place of worship.

Location: Edlingham

GPS coordinates: 55.37600,-1.82100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46