Saint Peter's, Clayworth
This 12th century church is home to England's largest Phoebe Traquair murals.
Much of this beautiful church dates back to around 1150 but there are foundations which date from the Saxon period. It has a fine crenellated tower with many Norman features and a very early example of decorative plasterwork. It is a grade 1 listed building and claimed to be one of the finest village churches in the country. It is situated in Clayworth, a village in Nottinghamshire which sits alongside the historic Chesterfield Canal.
Although an ancient church, the most notable feature of St Peter’s is, arguably, an artwork dating from as recently as the early 20th century. It is an amazing mural by Phoebe Anna Traquair, one of the most prominent female artists of the Arts and Crafts movement who was responsible for numerous mural works in Edinburgh and other Scottish locations. The murals here are the largest example of only two mural works by her outside of Scotland, which was her home for many years (although born in Dublin). Her mural style, heavily influenced by (Pre-Raphaelite) Rossetti, reflects the manuscript illustrations and embroidery for which she was also well known. The work is said to be the largest artwork in the English East Midlands and was commissioned by Lady D’Arcy Godolhin Osborne to commemorate the safe return of her son from the Boer War. The murals cover the entire walls of the nave, and extend further into the church, and, in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement contain large amounts of gilding. It is said that Lady Osbourne’s younger children featured as models for some of the panels which are essentially depictions of religious events. The images of the angelic choir, playing trumpets, between the arches of the arcade, features images of the actual church choir in 1905.
Beyond the murals the church has a fantastic carved rood screen, a highly decorative ceiling and some important tombs and brasses including one dedicated to a former rector John Tonstall (died 1630) and one to the Judge Humphrey Fitzwilliam (died 1556). This tomb is the earliest surviving example of decorative plasterwork in the UK. There is also lots of excellent stained glass (mainly 19th century but some much earlier). The church was restored in 1875 by Oldrid Scott (son of Charles Gilbert Scott), including an increase in the pitch of the chancel roof.
Know Before You Go
Parking near the church can be difficult but street parking is allowed.
If travelling by public transportation, bus route 197 runs to Clayworth from Retford which has a main line railway station.
If you enter the church and leave the main door open (to let the light in) please close the wire mesh outer door which is there to stop birds being trapped inside the church.
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