Diocesan Tourism Pages

St. Peter’s Church Clayworth with Wiseton lies along a stretch of the Roman Road from Lincoln to Doncaster and is bounded on its south side by the Chesterfield Canal. St. Peter’s has a square tower with four pinnacles and eight gargoyles, dating from early in the 12th century. Sections of the wall between nave and chancel are of similar date – look for the herringbone masonry near the arch. There are two Norman doorways and an elegant series of 13th century nave arches whose pillars rest on Norman bases. Most of the windows date from the 14th century, but there is an important series of Kempe stained glass including a fine window in the 13th century Chapel of St. Nicholas. The Tower has a Jesse window, and in the main east window above the altar are scenes of Our Lord washing the feet of the Disciples, Peter leaving the Judgement Hall, Gethsemane with the soldiers sleeping, and the Crucifixion.  The village school, founded by William Sampson, Rector of St. Peter’s in the 17th century, was first held in the church in an area to the rear of the south aisle. Rector Simpson endowed the school with a bequest of land, an endowment which survives to this day as the Clayworth Educational Foundation and supports village children in Further Education.

The chancel is decorated by striking murals painted by the Scottish artist Phoebe Traquir (1852-1936) which were completed in 1905 (http://www.mansfieldtraquair.org.uk). 

They feature portraits of school children of the time, depicted as angels in a choir, and have been carefully restored during 1996 by Elizabeth Hirst.  At the east end, on either side of the window, are two figures, the Angel of the Annunciation and the Madonna. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil complete with serpent twines round the window, and behind the altar there is an arabesque border of the (True) Vine, complete with singing angels. On the North Side of the chancel a group of figures bring offerings to the Divine Child and there is a painting of the Angel Choir, while on the South Wall the paintings feature Christ in Gethsemane with the sleeping disciples, and the Last Supper.

Opening Hours
St. Peter’s is open between 9am - 3pm in winter, and 8.30am - 7pm in summer. It is a popular location for concerts, and holds an annual flower festival and garden party. Many visitors come by boat along the Chesterfield Canal, or walking along the towpath. Clayworth village has several pubs serving good food.

How to Get There
Clayworth village is located in north Nottinghamshire on the B1403 which links the A620 (Retford - Gainsborough ) to the A631 (Gainsborough - Bawtry).

Nearby Attractions
The ruins of Mattersey Priory, one of the relatively few houses of the Gilbertine order founded by Gilbert de Sempringham in 1149 can be found 1.5 miles east of the village.

In winter, the famous Hodsock Snowdrops at Hodsock Priory can be seen February - April each year. Hodsock Priory is signposted from the A1, near Bawtry, http://www.snowdrops.co.uk.