Follow the brown signs

A finely-crafted church built in warring times

St Mary’s stands above the water meadows of South Cowton, with views of the neighbouring castle on the hill to the south.

Sir Richard Conyers, a supporter of the House of York, erected both buildings between 1450 and 1470 at the start of the Wars of the Roses.

The handsome church, like the castle, is sturdy in character. Inside, craftsmanship is superb, especially the stained glass, wall painting, consecration crosses and roof.

Effigies believed to be of Richard and his two wives lie in the chancel. There is also a porch with a barrel roof and room above, some lovely glass and a strange ‘two-faced’ carving on a choir stall.

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