ALWALTON. CHURCH : ST ANDREWS
Alwalton can be found just off of the A605, about five miles West of Peterborough. The village borders the village of Chesterton, with the two being separated by the A1. Alwalton has some beautiful old houses and St Andrews Church is the jewel in the crown of what is a lovely village. Visitors to the area can stay at a National Trust holiday home, which was a building which used to stand in Chesterton, and which was part of Chesterton House, which was built in the 1400's and demolished in the early 1800's. Alwalton is very close to the river Nene, and some very nice walks along the river can be had. It is only a short hop (or paddle!!) across the river to Castor, home of a very fine Norman church.
Alwalton has few real claims to fame, but Royce of Rolls Royce fame was born in the village in the 1860's. He died in 1933 and his ashes were buried at the church in 1937. There is a stone slab on the north wall of the church commemorating Sir Henry Royce.
No church was mentioned at Alwalton in the Domesday book of 1086, but there was a church on the present site by the end of the 12th Century, parts of which still exist today. In 1300 AD a project to rebuild the church was started, however this was abandoned unfinished some 30 years later. The church was restored in 1840, at which time the South Porch was built, some research on the internet indicated that, at that time, the restorers thought that it would be a good idea to get rid of some medieval stained glass in order to let more light in! Not one of their better ideas!
As well as the stained glass being removed, so were some monuments. A page of sketches in the British Museum, dated 1798 shows four medieval tombstones, two with recumbant effigies, along with some other fragments, one of which was part of a stone coffin. All gone....makes you want to weep!
The south porch was built in 1841, and this "modern" feature hides a 12th century doorway, with typical Norman zig zag carving around it. At the side of this is a Mass Dial carved in to the wall. If you look closely at the tower you will notice that it leans gracefully to the West! The tower was underpinned at the start of the 20th Century which has stopped its wanderings!
Beautiful rural surroundings and an area rich in Roman history. The Romans built a bridge over the river Nene at Alwalton and "Alwalton Marble" was excavated here by the Romans...and if you like grey squirrels, Alwalton is the place for you!!!
By the way, the photographs on this page, showing a snowbound St Andrews, was actually taken on Easter Day 2008. All together now..."I'm dreaming of a white Easter, Just like the ones I used to know..."
To visit the website for St Andrews Alwalton, St Michaels Chesterton, All Saints Elton, St Remigius Water Newton and St John The Baptist Stibbington, please click on the Photograph of the gargoyle immediately above.
