Church of St Andrew, Clifton Campville

The Church of St Andrew stands in the quiet village of Clifton Campville in Staffordshire. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, it is a Grade I listed building known for its tall spire that can be seen from far away. The church began as a simple two-cell structure around 1200, but it grew over time with additions such as transepts, an aisle, and a lady chapel. By the 14th century, the tower and spire were added, shaping the church as it appears today. The church is worth visiting for its well-preserved medieval details and historical significance. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, though no trace of that early building remains. The 14th-century masonry shows fine ashlar stonework, while earlier sections use roughly squared stone, creating a visible contrast. The north wall holds a 15th-century window with old glass, and the north transept contains a Priest’s Room with a fireplace and garderobe. The oak rood screen, dating to the 15th century, separates the nave from the chancel and features fine tracery and 17th-century doors. Inside, visitors find the long chancel and sanctuary, measuring 55 feet, with 14th-century misericords carved with foliage and figures. The south aisle wall holds a rare early 14th-century wall painting showing Christ and Mary enthroned. The lady chapel, added in the 14th century, contains tombs thought to be those of Sir Richard Stafford and his wife Isabel, as well as an alabaster tomb chest for John Vernon and his wife. The chapel also houses an organ installed in 1907, built by Brindley & Foster in 1874. The church’s spire was struck by lightning in 1984 and later restored, showing its enduring presence in the landscape.