Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church located on Mill Street in Ashwell. It dates back to the 14th century, with completion in 1381, and features additions from the 15th century, including a north porch and aisle windows. This large building is notable for its exceptionally tall west tower, constructed from clunch, flint rubble, and some red brick, topped with low-pitched slate roofs behind parapets.

The four-stage west tower has deeply projecting stepped angle buttresses and a leaded spike with a crenellated octagonal base. The lowest stage contains a four-light Decorated-style traceried window, while the belfry stage features paired pointed arches with traceried panels. The north and south aisles are adorned with three-light traceried windows, complete with hood moulds and cinquefoiled lights. The chancel has three restored 14th-century windows. The north porch is single-storey with an original door arch and windows, while the two-storey south porch has a 19th-century restored gabled front.

Inside, the nave consists of five bays with composite piers that show a stylistic progression: three with rounded piers in the east and two with canted piers in the west. A tall west arch with canted piers is flanked by two tall traceried panels. The aisle roofs date from the 15th century, with the north aisle largely restored. The chancel features notable mid-14th-century sedilia with four cinquefoiled arches and crocketed ogee gables.

Significant fittings include a hexagonal wooden pulpit dated 1627, a 15th-century traceried wooden screen to the Lady Chapel in the east bay of the south aisle, a 19th-century replica font on an early octagonal base, and 15th-century benches near the chancel. On the north wall of the west tower, there are remarkable 14th-century graffiti, including an inscription that records the survival of citizens of Ashwell during the Great Plague and a drawing of Old St. Paul's Cathedral in London.