St Mary the Virgin

The unusually wide Nave was started in the 12th century, followed by the chancel and transepts in the 13th century, while the vestry was added in Victorian times. The niche in the porch is 600 years old and now contains a statue of the Virgin Mary to whom the church is dedicated. A rare matching pair of Norman arches form the north and south doorways to the nave. The font is late 14th century, is octagonal and well preserved with a wooden lid.

Well worth a mention is the late 12th-century Crusader chest and one of the most unusual items in the church can be found in the chancel. It is a triangular locker containing the heart burial (1575) of William Holcott of Barcote Manor. He was a staunch Protestant who only just avoided being burnt at the stake by Mary Tudor. After the Reformation, he became a zealous lay preacher, often gracing the pulpit in his "velvet bonnet and damask gown...sometimes with a gold chain".

The Barcote Chapel in the south transept, illustrating the ‘Te Deum Laudamus’, is dedicated to Clara Jane, wife of the millionaire William West of Barcote and its highly decorated panels of mosaic were installed during 1890-92. An ancient iron bound chest located in the north transept dates from the 12th century and may have been used to hold donations for the third crusade in 1189.

The ring of eight bells, some dating from 1636, are in the key of E major and are in regular use. The clock was made by EJ Dent, makers of the Big Ben clock and is listed in their 1877 catalogue. The organ is a fine three manual instrument by Holdich/Martin dating back to the end of the 19th century. Two exterior sundials, dated 1707 and 1741, are mounted on the south facing walls.