Church Of St Margaret

The Church of St Margaret is a parish church dating back to the 14th century, with later additions in the late 15th century and subsequent alterations. The nave and tower are constructed from well-squared coursed stone with ashlar dressings; the chancel is thinner and features less well-squared stone. The north porch is timber-framed, and the roofs are covered in stone slate.

The church comprises a nave, a west tower, a chancel, and north and south porches, the latter having been altered to form a vestry. The north side of the church features a two-stage tower with a chamfered plinth, a diagonally set corner buttress on the right, and a half-octagonal projection for a staircase on the left. Two slit windows are present, with a flat-headed lancet window to the right, positioned above a moulded string course. Above this is a two-light window with reticulated tracery, fitted with wooden louvres. The tower is topped with a stone broach spire, featuring a slit opening halfway up and a crocketed top with an iron weathervane. A timber-framed porch shelters a boarded door set within an arched opening in the centre of the nave's north side. This porch has a stone plinth, brick nogging sides, and a seven-light opening above. Blind tracery is incorporated into the corner posts, with arch braces in the gable and crenellations to the tie beam. The interior of the porch features an intermediate collar truss, braces to the purlin, and no ridge. To the left of the main entrance is a two-light window with C19 trefoil heads in each light, all under a flat head. A square-set corner buttress and a parapet gable with a stone cross on a cross-gablet apex complete the north side. The chancel window and gable mirror the appearance of the nave. The east end holds a three-light window with Perpendicular tracery.

The south side of the nave and tower are similar to the north, but without the staircase turret. A square-set buttress stands to the left, with a wall extending towards a stone porch, partially obscured by a hut. A blocked chamfered arch is visible in the south gable. A timber Y tracery window is set within the east wall, lacking a lintel, while a blocked rectangular window opening and a blocked priest's door with a deep flat stone lintel are also present.

Inside, the walls are plastered, except within the tower. The nave features a plastered barrel vault ceiling with a moulded wallplate and tie beams. Chamfered arches lead to the tower and chancel, lacking capitals. The chancel roof consists of collar rafters with straight braces. A timber pulpit, dating back to approximately 1920, is octagonal in shape. A plain C12 font is present, featuring a moulded rim, a scalloped base over a cable moulding on the stem. Fragments of medieval glass remain in the tops of the nave and tower windows. Three C18 wall monuments are also found within the church; one features a painted inscription in a carved surround, a shield above, and an oval panel below (dated 1788). Another monument was relocated from St. Bartholomew’s in Gloucester (dated 1643). The church forms a group with Corse Court.