A Tour of St Mary Magdalene Church Leintwardine looking at the recently recorded evidence for its early history.
St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Street, Leintwardine, Craven Arms, Herefordshire, SY7 0LD
St Mary Magdalene Church is important within the Welsh Marches not least for its position within the Roman town of Branogenium but also for its Norman holding by the Mortimer family.
A priest is recorded in Domesday and the church was given to Wigmore Abbey in 1184. The Mortimer chapel was built in the 14th century to pray for the King and Queen and members of the Mortimer Family. This was followed by at least two royal visits (an unusual honour).
The event is an opportunity to review a reassessment of the development of the buildings comprising the church. This infers a pre-conquest origin and an importance which has otherwise been undocumented.
A new opportunity for research has been enabled through the deterioration of render on the external walls revealing the stonework underneath.
The event will examine the building in detail reviewing a recent assessment of the archaeology of the walls by the Leintwardine History Society. It enable visitors to explore the different structures embodied in the walls of the church and invite them to contribute to its interpretation.
Visitors will be able to visit the church, its tower and probable crypt. (please note that the tower and crypt area are hazardous for those with limited mobility)
The tour will end at an exhibition summarising the work so far, including rare sculptural stone finials from Wigmore Abbey, and other items not normally accessible to the Public.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1000-1200 & 1400-1600
Location & directions
St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Street, Leintwardine, Craven Arms, Herefordshire, SY7 0LD
- Contact on day:
- Jonathan Hopkinson
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Booking is required to ensure manageable numbers. Booking is first come first served. If the event is oversubscribed, we will hold a waiting list and try to arrange an later tour to accommodate these. Please email:[email protected] to secure a place,
- Booking contact name:
- Jonathan Hopkinson
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking opens:
- 01 Aug 2025 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 14 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Some of the tour is over rough ground or has steps. There is flat access to the higher area of the church through another door. It would be possible for a wheelchair user to see most of the display and the talk can take account of their needs.
Additional information
Limited nearby parking. Street parking is possible.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
