St Mary
Clifton Reynes, Buckinghamshire
Topped with rows of neat battlements like a church from a medieval fairytale, Clifton Reynes church sits at the end of its secluded village surrounded by open country, in a bend of the River Great Ouse.
The outlines of two small round arches above the southern nave arcade are the most visible feature of the original Saxon church.
The nave roof above, with its 12 graceful angels and carved bosses, is thought to date from a 15th century expansion of the church, when the nave was heightened and the north aisle was also built.
The older south aisle incorporates a Lady Chapel at its eastern end; here, the alcove next to the sedilia has a well preserved 13th century wall painting of the Crucifixion.
The Elizabethan tomb opposite is one of four monuments to members of the Mordaunt family, who later became earls of Peterborough.
