All Saints' Church, Sutton Courtenay

All Saints Church has a 12th century tower but the rest of the building dates from 13th-16th century. During the Civil War, the vicar of Sutton, a staunch parliamentarian, kept stores of powder and ammunition in the church - King Charles was of course not far away at Oxford. In 1643 the whole lot unfortunately exploded, shattered the glass in the windows and damaged the tower. The graves of former statesman Herbert Asquith and author George Orwell are in the churchyard. Asquith's second wife brought the family to Sutton Courtenay, buying the Wharf in 1912 and converting its barn. George Orwell was not a parishioner but wished to be buried in a country churchyard!

Sutton Courtenay Oxfordshire

This image is available to purchase and is part of our Sutton Courtenay Stock Photos Collection.