All Saints' Church, Sutton Courtenay

All Saints’ Church stands in the centre of Sutton Courtenay, a village in Oxfordshire. The church has been here since at least the 12th century and holds Grade I listed status. Its oldest parts are the nave and lower tower stages from the late Norman period. The chancel and upper tower date from the 13th century, while the aisles and clerestory were added in the 14th. A brick south porch and oak south door belong to the early 16th century.

The church is worth visiting for its layered history and notable details. The tower holds one of England’s twenty-two one-handed clocks. Marks around the tower door are thought to be Crusaders’ thank-you carvings. The ring of eight bells includes two cast in 1675 by Richard Keene of Woodstock. A 15th-century rood screen and Stuart royal coat of arms survive inside.

Visitors find a quiet church with fine medieval and later work. The nave’s clerestory has five windows on each side, some Perpendicular Gothic, others Decorated. A Jacobean pulpit was given in 1901. Outside, the churchyard contains tombs of H. H. Asquith, Margot Asquith, David Astor and George Orwell. Orwell’s simple grave now has a red rose bush. Bill Bryson remarked on the chance of finding two globally significant graves in one village churchyard.