Church Of St Leonard

The Church of St. Leonard is a parish church with a history spanning from the 12th to the 15th centuries, and subsequent restorations in 1866 and 1902. Constructed primarily of coursed rubble stone, with some areas partially covered in a rendered finish, it features lead roofs on the nave and tower, and a tiled roof on the chancel.

The west tower, of two stages, is distinguished by a moulded plinth, battlemented parapet, diagonal buttresses, and a stair turret situated at the southeast corner. The bell chamber has two-light traceried openings, with smaller cusped windows on the north and south sides. The west side features a three-light cusped window and a door set within a four-centred arch, adorned with cusped spandrels. The nave has a moulded ashlar parapet, a moulded plinth along part of the south wall, and offset buttresses. It contains two two-light windows on the north side, one with Y tracery and the other with cusped lights. The south wall, largely rebuilt in the 15th century, has two three-light windows. A south doorway, dating to the early 13th century, displays a worn moulded arch and fragments of elaborate fleurons and stiff leaf capitals on its outer order, with missing shafts. It includes a hoodmould with worn carved head stops, and a wrought iron lamp bracket above. The chancel has three windows with Y tracery to the south, one to the north, and a 19th-century five-light traceried window to the east. A more recent north vestry was added in the early 20th century.

Inside, a moulded tower arch is present. The nave retains a 15th-century roof with moulded purlins and tie beams, the latter featuring curved braces and cusped tracery within their spandrels. A cusped piscina is located in the south wall. A continuously double-chamfered arch leads to the chancel, which has a moulded sill course and window arches. A large cusped piscina, complete with finials (one having been removed to accommodate a monument), is also present.

The church contains an octagonal font, reworked in the 15th century, and an early 17th-century hexagonal pulpit with arcaded panels. Other fittings are from the 19th century. Notable monuments include a marble wall monument dedicated to John Pigott of Doddershall, J.P., who died in 1751, signed by P. Scheemakers. This monument features a carved figure of the deceased in a toga, semi-reclining below a medallion portrait of his deceased son. A pair of coloured marble wall monuments flank the altar, commemorating Christobella Viscountess Saye and Sele (1789) and her second husband Richard Fiennes (1781). A marble wall tablet is dedicated to Harriet Lamb (1785). Various other 18th-century oval inscription panels are also present.