Find a church

The earliest church in Bakewell dates from Anglo Saxon times, but there were probably Christians here long before then, very likely they were among the Roman settlers from the 2nd century onwards.

This is a church for those who enjoy an architectural jigsaw. The exterior gives a clue to the complexity of the game.

Reference to St Martin’s church occurs in the Matriculus of 1220 when Hugh de Grantmesnil a powerful baron who owned much land in Leicestershire, gave it to the Abbot of Ware, who was Proctor of the monks of St. Evroult in Normandy, France.

The earliest reference to a church in Cawthorne can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, the current church is the third to stand on this site.

A handsome Victorian church with beautiful stained glass windows, superb stone carvings and a fine altar with a gold mosaic.

The ramblers church.

The church stands some way from the village, isolated but not austere.

Beautifully positioned on the north bank of the river Ouse, you cannot fail to be struck by the extremely graceful tower and spire, the excellent proportions are apt to make it seem much higher than it really is.

The church stands on rising ground above the main road and the first thing you see is the great west end tower, richly ornamented, with spire above (the latter replaced in 1821 after a fire).

The chapel was built in the mid 14th century when the stone bridge replaced a wooden one, although the upper part, including the west front, was rebuilt in 1847-8.