St John The Baptist, Eastnor

Eastnor lies at southern end of the Malvern Hills AONB. The Grade 1 listed church of St. John the Baptist is adjacent to Eastnor Castle and views of its tower are the first sight of the village afforded to those using the popular public footpath to walk from Ledbury, as well as those walking in the Castle Deer Park.

There has been a church on the site since the 12th Century. Some parts of the early building remain, including the south nave doorway, the 12th century font and the 13th century nave arcade. The lower parts of the west tower is also 13th century, while the upper part is 14th century.

The church was comprehensively refurbished by Sir George Gilbert Scott RA in the early 1850s, including the addition of a mortuary Chapel for the monuments to members of the Somers Cocks family of Eastnor Castle.

The interior of the church includes fine monuments by Stuart and Scheemakers, glass by Kempe, described by Pevsner as “very fine” and “excellent” respectively. There is a rare Pugin-framed picture of the crucifixion and an organ by Nicholson (1867).

Further information about the church can be found here and on the Eastnor Castle website.