St Mary Magdalene's Church, Langridge

A small 12th-century church stands in the Somerset village of Langridge, part of the Charlcombe parish. The building has a Grade I listing and a Norman tower with two stages. Inside, a narrow nave leads to a restored chancel arch topped by a rare Virgin and Child figure. The apse was added later by Charles Edward Davis, the Bath City Architect, between 1869 and 1872. The church sits within a quiet rural setting near Bath, linked to the benefice of Weston, Bath All Saints with North Stoke and Langridge. The church is worth visiting for its Norman architecture and rare medieval artworks. The chancel arch holds a Virgin and Child figure dated by English Heritage to the 13th century, though the church guidebook suggests it may be older. A stolen brass of Elizabeth Walsche from 1441 once marked her grave, but a surviving stone monument remains. Another brass from 1790, drawn by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm, also honours the Walsche family. The church’s Grade I status reflects its historical and architectural importance. Visitors find a simple nave with memorials and a restored chancel arch. The tower’s two stages rise above the roofline, and the later apse adds light to the interior. The Virgin and Child figure above the arch draws attention for its age and rarity. Outside, the church sits among farmland and quiet lanes near Bath. The surrounding benefice links it to other historic parishes in the area.