Quintessentially British: The Parish Church

Nearly every village, hamlet or town in Britain has their own parish church. In earlier times these were paid for and maintained by the wealthy local landowner or Lord. Depending upon how wealthy the benefactors were, many of these parish churches were far bigger and more ornate than they really needed to be for the number of worshippers. This is the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire and it dates mostly from Norman times. You might just be able to make out the Norman arch of the north door. Carved on this arch are the shapes of two interlaced dragons biting their tails, and two serpents nearby. This church contains the tombs of some of the Leigh family members.