St Leonard

It is not actually Roman, but it does follow the line of what was once the shoreline of the River Nene, which had a wide estuary stretching deep into what is now flat fenland. It is a reminder that this landscape has been completely transformed by drainage, and once rich from trade by sea and river.

Leverington's church is splendid, and reflects the wealth this area once enjoyed. Its roots are in the 12th century, but it was rebuilt, beginning in the 13th century. The magnificent tower is crowned by a tall spire clasped at its foot by four small castle like turrets.

Some of the best elements of the church can be appreciated from the road: both the chancel window and the south aisle window have beautiful flowing tracery, while the porch is almost a building in its own right. Built in the 14th century, it is a two storeyed feast of ogee headed doorways and windows, with buttresses, niches, pinnacles and other decoration.

The interior of the church takes much of its appearance from the 15th century, but the restoration of 1901 added great wooden tie beams across the nave. Above these is the original roof. The greatest treasure inside the church is its 15th century Jesse window, situated in the north aisle. About half of the figures depicted are original or restored; the rest are from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Also of interest are the sandstone font, with carved figures in niches, the 15th century eagle lectern, and marble monuments of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.