Apart from the corner of the nave which is Saxon, some mediaeval windows and a 19th-century restored bell-cote, the whole church dates from the third quarter of the 12th century. It is a particularly rich example of the late Romanesque style and shows strong Scandanavian influence.

Regarded widely a England's most perfect Norman church, it stands on a mound next to a ruined castle between the Wye and Dore valleys. It was originally also next to a Benedictine priory and remains as it was built, i.e., with nave, chancel and apse, with no aisles or tower. Nothing has been added or taken away, and the carvings remain as they were, almost as pristine as the time when they were completed. They cover the west and south doorways, the chancel arch and the corbel-table which runs round the entire church.

The carvings which form the shafts of the chancel arch on its west side comprise three elongated figures of saints, and are unique in England in that the sculpted figures are raised rather than incised.
 

Above are drawings by Reg Bolton © taken from notelets, and the book The Sculptures of Kilpeck (both on sale in the church), of just four of them.

ACCESS