Church of St Margaret, Queen Charlton

The Church of St Margaret stands in the small village of Queen Charlton in Somerset. Built in the late 12th century, it is an Anglican church with a Grade II* listing from English Heritage. Though part of the civil parish of Compton Dando, it belongs to the ecclesiastical parish of Keynsham and the Diocese of Bath & Wells. Originally linked to Keynsham Abbey, the church once had its own cluster of ecclesiastical buildings around 1200. Over the centuries, it was altered in the 13th century and restored in the 15th. Its original cruciform shape survives only in the remaining north transept. The church’s most striking feature is its central two-stage tower, supported by diagonal buttresses and topped with a parapet of pierced arcading. Pinnacles and gargoyles crown the structure, while a polygonal stair tower rises on the northeast corner. Beneath the tower, at the crossing, four arches rest on attached Norman pillars. The tower’s design reflects the craftsmanship of its time, blending medieval styles with later additions. In front of the church, a late medieval cross stands on the village green. It was moved to its current position during Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations, having previously been sited further east. The cross and the church together form a quiet focal point in the village, marking centuries of local history. The surrounding area remains peaceful, offering a glimpse into rural Somerset life.