church of st mary and st david

Beaulieu15

I have always been interested in church architecture and visited Kilpeck 10 years ago. I wanted to see the corbel carvings which are beautiful. It was a perfect summer's day and my friend with whom I was visiting spotted a Kingfisher. The church carvings are almost childlike, or perhaps Disneyesque, but not crude or clumsy. The sheela-na-gig is fascinating and escaped vandalism during Victorian times because it was thought that the carving was baring its heart to God! Ah well, if you have seen a good many sheela-na-gig, its real meaning is unmistakable. I had to put a date when I saw the church and 1 year ago was the earliest I could pick. I know it hasn't changed!

mtse

Even on a blustery November afternoon this tiny church with its views over the Welsh hills was a wonderful place to visit with its magnificent Norman carvings - an absolute gem and inspired us to plan a search for other churches in the area ornamented by the same hands. Parking is easy, the church is just about accessible by wheelchair with care and the nearby Kilpeck Inn provides excellent food and drink. Really worth the effort to make a visit.

ChrisSouthampton

A perfectly preserved Norman church with very interesting carvings. Very peaceful and large grounds to explore the local scenery. Ruined castle is adjacent but beware of the sheep! Easy parking.

janddf

This Saxon/Norman church is beautifully carved and has a peaceful atmosphere which makes you want to stay in its protective bubble. Every corbel is different and you marvel that 86 different designs could be thought up and executed so cleverly. looking forward to our next visit.

Idler

Kilpeck Church is a fine Norman church, dating from when this part of the world was still part of Wales. A visit repays a good half hour to an hour. The carvings are particularly evocative. There is even a rare Sheela-na-gig. The bucolic location is another plus.

PradipJ_12

Kilpeck church is really nice with fine carvings and for so small a church packed with symbolism the church rocks

Rockhunter49

Buried in this small village is the most perfect Norman masterpiece. The carvings are exquisite. The doorway is fabulous. Go and see it.

RoystonSas

This enchanting church is rich in history. Spend time to soak it all in. Enjoy the scene and contemplate the generations of worshippers who have gone before us ....

Bob2228

The church is one of many must visit churches in our wonderful country of England.Why waste so much time sight seeing in other countries when there is more than a lifetime of wonderful places to see in this one!

shrewsbury186368

This church is worth a visit. It is steeped in history and has some interesting architecture. It is also in a beautiful location and there are some lovely walks around here.

MekiOxford

This is a beautiful Norman church with astounding carvings inside and out, and should be on every visitors' tour map, for its uniqueness. It's situated in peaceful surroundings and with lovely country views so it's well worth packing a picnic and enjoying the place. The carvings range from depictions of the Green Man, the Sheelagh na Gig, and all sorts of creatures, mythical and real, including my favourite, the Rabbit. You can buy postcards and a CD of the carvings inside the church. Come with your camera and enjoy taking photos of the intricate carvings on the door frame, plus the archways inside the church itself.

Kramdrazzi

The castle may have fallen down but the church is still standing! There are obvious Saxon influences in this primarily Norman place of worship that point to an earlier building being on the site and the combination of the church and the castle remains give a real sense of what it might have been like in the 12th century. The views are fantastic too!

noshy

How can this wonderful church be off the travel maps. I have seen many rural churches, this is the finest full stop. Look it up on google. The Shelagh is "interesting", the carving around the door hinting at Saxon and Celtic art.

awalsh15

Visited on 24th April 2013. A beautiful little Church that has stood the test of time. It has an incredible Norman door on the south side with amazing carvings surrounding it. There are about 80 Corbels lining the outside of the Church running all round it, including the famous Sheelagh - this needs looking up but be aware it is rude! Remarkably, the Church seems to have been left untouched by the Puritans, this despite Cromwell's men blighting the adjacent Castle and eventually destroying it. Also, there appears to be evidence of Saxon work, which the Normans usually would have destroyed all evidence of. Most definitely worth a visit. It is normally left open most days and services are still held on about every third Sunday.

FlorenceScholar

This tiny church built in the 1100's is absolutely incredible. Inside it is simplicity itself and the act of worship would certainly have been unincumbered by idolatory distractions. The exterior of the church however is full of attention drawing wonders. Around the outside there are a number of corbels depicting a variety of images which, it has been suggested were used to impart moral lessons to the attending parishoners, a number of which certainly seem to hark back to a more pre Christian time. The Sheelaghnagig - a pagan goddess of fertility is represented in her fecund splendour and the "wrestlers" who seem engaged in a particularly energetic grapple.The corbel representing the earliest depicition of the Welsh Crwth (a forerunner of the fiddle) is one of our favourite stones, although it must be said that in common with s1mpkin we have a great affection for the dog & (?) rabbit (or could it be a hare?)... To get the full benefit of these wonderful adornments do take a pair of binoculars or a long lens on the camera will do as well...