St Nicholas
Biddestone, Wiltshire
This Grade I church has a Norman south doorway and font.
St Andrew dates back to the 13th century and has evolved over the years, with a nave added in the 14th century and a tower a couple of hundred years later. The tower has a magnificent fan vaulted ceiling. The church was significantly rebuilt in the 1850s due to the building falling into disrepair.
The church is home to the one of the oldest working faceless medieval clocks in the country, a superb 13th century carved stone monument of Sir Walter de Dunstanville (a Norman knight), a remarkable 14th century stone font and a range of stunning stained glass windows. The fine medieval chancel arch has six carved figures in shallow niches including St Andrew and St James.
The church is more than the important heritage inside, it is a vital part of the local community, hosting and running groups that are helping fight isolation and building connections. Its coffee morning, for example, is attended by many older people in the parish who have struggled post Covid-19.