St Mary
Bibury, Gloucestershire
For a combination of ancient church and classic Cotswold village, Bibury is hard to beat.
One merchant, called John Fortey (commemorated in one of the fine collection of brasses here) took the church into another league by raising the nave roof and adding a lofty clerestory that fills the church with light.
It includes an immense Perpendicular window above the chancel arch ' a fine example of a feature that is special to Cotswold 'wool' churches.
Other merchants of the time provided funds to enrich their church in other ways.
The Lady Chapel and the elegant stone pulpit all date from this period, as does the pinnacled two storey south porch: be sure to look up at the vaulting inside.
