Church Of St Mary Magdalene

The Church of St Mary Magdalene is a small church located on Shutford Road in Balscote. It dates back to the 14th century, with repairs made in the 19th century between 1800-1823 and 1849-50, and extensive restoration occurring in 1873. Further repairs to the roof, nave, and tower were carried out in the 1920s. The church is constructed from coursed, squared ironstone and features a stone slate roof on the chancel, which is laid to diminishing courses and has stone coped gables with a stone lateral stack on the north side.

The church comprises a chancel, nave with a south aisle, and a narrow south tower, presenting a five-window range in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles. The chancel includes a three-light east window with reticulated tracery, a two-light Perpendicular window on the north, and a three-light Perpendicular window on the south. The nave has two- and four-light Perpendicular windows on the north side, flanking a pointed arched doorway with a plank door and dripmould. There are two entrances on the south side, including a pointed arched doorway in the south tower and a priest's doorway leading to the chancel. The south aisle features two-light Perpendicular windows to the right of the main doorway, with square heads and labels that have headstops, and a single lancet on the left, along with a two-light Geometrical west window. The clerestory has four small windows in the Decorated style, and the nave is topped with a shallow parapet. The tower, which has three stages, is adorned with a crenellated parapet, gargoyles, and finials, and features single-light lancets with cusped heads and paired lancets at the bell-stage.

Inside, the chancel and south aisle contain Decorated piscinas with crocketed ogee canopies. The four-bay south arcade has arches of a single chamfered order, wide chamfered hood moulds, and octagonal piers, with carved heads on the piers opposite the entrance. The nave roof is supported by carved stone corbel heads. The pulpit is made from 16th and 17th century continental woodwork panels donated by Colonel North, and there is a 12th century tub-shaped font. New pews and a gallery were added in 1823 but have since been removed.