Church of St Mary the Virgin, Stanton Drew

The Church of St Mary the Virgin stands in the quiet Somerset village of Stanton Drew. Built in the 13th century, it is a Grade II* listed building with parts that still show its medieval origins. The north aisle contains a Norman font, its bowl worn smooth by centuries of use. A small turret staircase, now behind glass, once led up to a rood loft. The church’s present interior mostly dates from 1847, when the south, west and north walls were rebuilt while preserving the Lady Chapel. The churchyard holds several listed monuments, including the Hazle, Wight Preston and a few unnamed stones. The north-east entrance is marked by piers, gates and an overthrow, all part of the historic boundary. The nave and tower arches were rebuilt in the 15th century, showing later changes to the building’s structure. These features give a clear picture of how the church has been adapted over time. Inside, visitors find a plain nave with clear lines from the 19th-century restoration. The Norman font sits in the north aisle, its simple shape unchanged for hundreds of years. The turret steps, now protected behind glass, hint at the rood loft that once overlooked the congregation. Outside, the churchyard’s listed monuments stand among yew and ash trees, framing the building’s quiet setting.