GREAT CASTERTON. CHURCH : ST PETER & ST PAUL

This was my first trip in to Rutland since starting to take an interest in churches, and I was thoroughly looking forward to seeing some places that I had never been to before. As it was, it was to be a frustrating morning, due mainly to the weather.As I left Peterborough it was fine but within ten minutes there was heavy rain. This cleared, but by the time I arrived at the church of St Peter and St Paul, Great Casterton, it was very dull. I decided to take a wander the mile or so to Little Casterton in the hopes that, by the time I reached there, it would have improved. Sadly, this backfired as it was even worse when I reached Little Casterton, and equally as dull when I got back to my Great Casterton an hour later. Oh well, press on and make the best of things. Photographs uploaded but I will pop back at some point and re-shoot the exterior of Great Casterton.

  The church itself is a very imposing structure, set by the side of the main road out of Stamford. A carved effigy looks out over the road from the East side of the church, pictured above right, and some have said that this might be a representation of St Peter. The church was open, and an eight page guide to the church was available. This informative booklet stated that local poet John Clare lived in the village for a time, and was married in this church in March 1820.

  A small section of Medieval wall painting can clearly be seen to the left of the pulpit. This is in the form of a five petalled flower design, and a very similar design can be seen in nearby Empingham church.

  A couple of interesting carvings to be found here. On the exterior of the South wall is a carving of a figure, see second picture down on the right. This dates from the 13th Century and is almost identical to a carving which can be found inside. Who the figures are is not recorded.

  This church is well cared for, and work was being done in the church grounds when I was there. Nice friendly locals and I enjoyed my time here, would have been better though if the Sun had shown itself just for a few minutes. Popped back on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in early August. Again, work was being done in the grounds and I had a nice chat to an exteremely pleasant woman and her mother who were doing some cleaning. Re-shot the whole church as lighting conditions were far better. These noe uploaded.