LincolnshireHORNCASTLEStMary(explorechurches.org)2

St Mary

Built in the 13th century, the oldest part is the low tower which is surmounted by a small spirelet that is completely out of proportion with the rest of the building!

Horncastle, Lincolnshire

Opening times

Easter to October, daily 10am to 4pm.
November to Easter, Saturday 10am to 12noon, Wednesday 10am to 12noon.

Address

St Mary
Church Lane
Horncastle
Lincolnshire
LN9 5HW

Standing in the market place, this is believed to be the third church built on the site. 

St Mary’s is now a fantastic mixtures of different styles. Externally it appears to be predominantly Victorian and Perpendicular, however enter into this wonderful building and you will see there are elements of Early English style as well. The pillars of the arcade have a pronounced lean towards the south, said by some people to signify the leaning of Christ’s head on the Cross. If correct this would mean the Master Builder deliberately contrived the pillars to be built out of true, which is absurd. The lean is, in fact, due to stresses caused when the Perpendicular style clerestory and heavy wooden roof were added in the 15th century.

There are many features to see within including: beautiful stained glass windows, ten gilded angels in the nave roof, a lepers’ squint and medieval scythes (linked to the War of the Roses or the Lincolnshire Rising).

An exhibition details the links with Alfred Lord Tennyson and hatchments show the connection with The Dymoke Family (the King’s Champion). Nearby are parts of the old Roman wall.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Famous connections

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café within 500m

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • On street parking at church

  • Parking within 250m

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Church of England

  • Repair Grant, £10,000, 2009

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

  • Repair Grant, £10,000, 2010

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

Queen Street Chapel

Horncastle, Lincolnshire

The first Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in 1786 in the district known as The Wong or Cagthorpe. It was replaced by a new chapel on the same site in 1806.

St Margaret

Thimbleby, Lincolnshire

Delve a little into the history behind this small village in Lincolnshire and you will soon find its hugely important link to America.

St Wilfrid

Thornton, Lincolnshire

This pretty greenstone parish church is dedicated to St Wilfrid and is a Grade II listed building dating from the 15th century and restored in 1890 by Ewan Christian.