St. Mary’s Church, Colston Bassett
Walking up the Grantham Canal towards Clark’s Bridge from the Plough Inn, in the village of Hickling, and then heading north, brings you within sight of the ruin of St Mary’s Church in nearby Colston Bassett.
The ruins of the church
History
The ruin of St. Mary’s Church stands on a site known to have been occupied from Norman times and the well-preserved ruin has Norman, Early English and Decorated and Perpendicular architectural styles.
The present church, which is preserved and supported by English Heritage, has been a ruin since the late 19th century and its structural problems may have been due to the constant over-building since the 12th century.
The ruined church in Colston Bassett
Colston Bassett is in southeast Nottinghamshire within the Vale of Belvoir, famous for its production of Blue Stilton cheese. The name Colston means the homestead of someone called “Col” and Bassett refers to the Bassett family, once large Norman landowners in the area. Bassett was added to differentiate the village from other Colstons.
The Grantham Canal is no longer in use but is popular with anglers, cyclists, hikers and dog-walkers. Wildlife along the canal includes swans.
The exterior of the church in Colston Bassett
St. Mary’s Church Colston Bassett Access
The church is close to Colston Bassett Cricket and Croquet Club, just off New Road. Hickling is north of Melton Mowbray, turn right off the A606 into Nottingham.
St Mary’s Map
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