David Oakes - Images, Derbyshire, Everyday Heritage, Everyday Life, Peace, postaday, Religious Buildings, SUNDAY, Sunday-off to Church, Trivia

Sunday…. Off to Church

Saint Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Ashbourne is a very busy ancient Market Town on the edge of the Peak District. Important in a wide country  community and often referred to as the Gateway to the Peak.

It is a Town I have driven through for over 50 years, a Town I love to visit for its narrow streets, old market place and shops and restaurants…. a great place just to mooch arround.

Yet in all those years and visits I have never visited St. Oswald’s. I can use the excuse that it isn’t located within the heart of the old town…. but that perhaps is a poor excuse.  Lets explain; Ashbourne is in a hollow. Which ever direction of travel, you enter by a steep descent, a descent that gives great views over Ashbourne and it surrounding hills….and dominating that view is the high steeple of St. Oswald’s.

That Steeple is some 212ft high, but from those views you still don’t get a view of the church itself..  But last week, something decreed that I make a detour and visit.  

Built on Saxon religious ground, the current building was built in the 13th century.  The Church is a cross shape with that spire standing central to the ‘cross over aisle’.

High and dark inside, dark despite over 20 Clear glazed high dormer windows.  An interior that is rather cathedral like and hidden behind sturdy exterior. So lets look around.

One unusual quirk are the Gate Posts.  Atop of each pillar is a spire… but that spire is balanced on stone skulls.  

It was a very cold November day when I visited, a weekday, so no heating.  I do need to revisit on a warmer day as there is so much more to discover in this ancient interior and the church history. 

Sunday, a day when I do try to relax and recharge my batteries for the new week ahead.  

Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

8th December

(C) David Oakes 2024

4 thoughts on “Sunday…. Off to Church”

  2. Ah. “…something decreed…” I’m glad it did! Such a lovely OLD church. Thank you for stopping and taking these photos, David. There are towns through which I drive, too, which I always think I need to stop here and take a closer look, but never do; always in too much of a rush, it seems. There are roses that deserve to be stopped for and smelled. St. Oswald’s is fine old rose. ~Ed.

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