St Mary's Church, North Leigh

St Mary's Church is a stone building featuring a tower from the early medieval period with rounded windows and characteristic stonework from that era. The structure uses building techniques typical of Anglo-Saxon construction and shows how craftsmen of the time worked with stone.

Construction began around 1000, and its tower ranks among the oldest remaining examples of this architectural style in Oxfordshire. The building dates from a period when such structures were still quite rare in England and building methods were just developing.

Inside, a Tudor-era wall painting shows four religious scenes created by medieval artists. The work reveals what stories and beliefs mattered most to people visiting the church centuries ago.

The church sits northeast of Witney with parking available across the lane on the Turner Hall grounds. The location is fairly easy to reach and offers basic facilities for visitors.

Four projections on the tower were engineered to shield wooden structural beams from weather exposure. These details reveal how builders of that era found practical solutions to protect their materials and the building itself.

Location: North Leigh

Inception: 1000

Architectural style: Anglo-Saxon architecture

Website: http://northleighparish.com/siteII.htm

GPS coordinates: 51.82020,-1.43946

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00