Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church with a rich history, having received a licence to crenellate on April 11, 1304. It was extended and repaired in 1844 by Sarah Losh, with further restoration taking place in 1894. The church is constructed from large blocks of squared red sandstone mixed with cobbles, and features extensions of red sandstone beneath sandstone slate roofs, except for the lead roof on the tower.

The building includes a square fortified west tower with exceptionally thick walls and a contemporary 2-bay fortified nave. The north chancel, added in 1844, is positioned at right angles to the nave and has an apside vestry on its east wall. The tower showcases original and restored arrow-slit windows, while a 2-light Tudor window on the north side has been restored in the 19th century. The upper part of the tower is made from different stonework and features a restored battlemented parapet and turret.

The nave has a narrow hollow-chamfered pointed doorway and arrow-slit windows. The 2-bay chancel includes a round-arched west doorway and lancet windows, while the vestry has round-headed windows. Inside, the tower contains a vaulted basement and a spiral stone stair that leads to an upper floor priest's chamber with a fireplace and a second-floor chamber.

Notable interior features include a 13th-century octagonal font bowl with crocketed gables on a fragmentary stem, and carved ram's head corbels by Sarah Losh on the east wall flanking the former altar position. There is also a carved wooden lectern in the form of a palm tree, created by Sarah Losh. The north wall of the nave has been largely removed to provide access to the chancel. The chancel and nave were extensively renovated and furnished in 1894. Although the church was in ruins from the Dissolution until 1844, it remains one of the most complete fortified churches in the area.