St John the Baptist

The church of St John the Baptist is situated in the parish of Kingscote, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The church is in the heart of the village of Kingscote and is its key architectural feature, with the tower being the highest point of the village, clearly visible from the surrounding countryside and providing a local landmark. The historic architectural simplicity of the external features, dating from the 13th century and possibly earlier, set within the rural landscape and surrounding mature trees, provides an aesthetic focal point. The churchyard also offers seating and seclusion for private contemplation and rest.

The village is named after the Kingscote family, with antecedents linking back to the 13th century. The north transept in the church was used as a pew for the Kingscote family and memorials to the Kingscote family can be found within the church as well as the Kingscote family enclosure, in the north east corner of the churchyard, which is a Grade II listed monument. Four other monuments in the churchyard are also named as Grade II listed monuments in Historic England’s records, e.g. those of Hopkins, Hathaway and Holbrow.

The church is Grade II* listed by Historic England and it consists of the chancel, nave, tower at the west end with an entrance to access the bells, the ringing chamber and the gallery, a north transept, a vestry in the north west of the chancel and a north porch. Some of the areas of the church date from the 13th century but other areas were added later and/or were refurbished during Victorian times. It is believed that the architect SS Teulon designed some of the furniture in the church. Stained glass windows feature, among others, Sir Galahad, St Augustine and St George.