St Mary's Church, Edwinstowe

St Mary’s Church stands in the heart of Edwinstowe, a village whose name comes from King Edwin of Northumbria. The church first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was later given to Lincoln Cathedral by William II. Its origins go back further, to a small wooden chapel built in 633 after Edwin’s body was found in Sherwood Forest. The present stone building dates from about 1175, though it was rebuilt during Henry II’s reign. The church has been restored twice, in 1869 and 1890, yet still keeps traces of its long past. Visitors come to see the place where legend says Robin Hood married Maid Marian. The church also holds a Forster and Andrews organ from 1862, still played today. Its Grade I listing shows how important it is to the nation’s heritage. The building’s walls have witnessed centuries of local life, from royal burials to village weddings. Tourists walk in expecting an old church, but leave remembering its stories. Inside, the nave and chancel keep their medieval shape, with later additions from the 19th century. The organ loft sits above the west door, its pipes rising into the roof. Outside, yew trees older than the church stand guard over the graveyard. The churchyard itself holds simple stones and grander memorials from different ages. From the porch, a path leads into Edwinstowe’s quiet lanes, where the forest still whispers of kings and outlaws.