St Mary the Virgin

A royal village indelibly linked with Edward IVs Queen, Elizabeth Woodville, and with Charles ll who gave this crown property to his natural son Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton.

Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire

Opening times

The church is normally open during daylight hours.

Address

Bozenham Mill Lane
Grafton Regis
Northamptonshire
NN12 7SS

In the church there is a small museum collection of relics from the Woodville period together with useful explanatory notes. 

The monument to the Queen's grandfather, Sir John Wydevyl (as it is spelled on his etched slab), is now situated at the west end of the church. It was he who added the tower to the building in around 1400.

The Fitzroy family emerge in a number of handsome wall tablets, the best of which is by John Flaxman RA to Charlotte, Countess of Euston (d1808). It is Grecian in style with a pair of protective white marble figures, Faith and Hope.

In 2011 these memorials were extended when one to Vice Admiral Robert Fitzroy (d1865) was put up by his descendant. He had been Captain of HMS Beagle on which Darwin served; he designed the Fitzroy Barometer and was a pioneer of weather forecasting. All this is to be found in a 13th century church which retains a good Norman tub faced font.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

  • Partnership Grant, £2,500, 2016

  • Our Partnership Grants funded a range of repair projects, recommended by County Church Trusts, to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St James the Great

Paulerspury, Northamptonshire

There are two distinct reasons for coming here. The rare medieval wooden effigies and the association with the great nonconformist missionary William Carey (1761–1834).

St Bartholomew

Furtho, Northamptonshire

This remote church at the most southern point of the county is beguilingly set at the end of a long tree lined lane which is well indicated by a brown sign off the main road.

St Simon & St Jude

Castlethorpe, Buckinghamshire

Delightful church standing in an elevated position in the heart of the village, within the earthworks remaining from a motte and bailey castle built by Winemar the Fleming who was gifted the land by William I.