St Mary
Clifton Reynes, Buckinghamshire
Topped with rows of neat battlements like a church from a medieval fairytale, Clifton Reynes church sits at the end of its secluded village surrounded by open country, in a bend of the River Great Ouse.
The rest of the church is of the same period, with very tall windows and 14th century tracery, though this has been much restored and the glass is Victorian or modern.
One window depicts the church, and also the 18th century poet and hymn writer William Cowper, who lived in Olney and cowrote the Olney Hymns of 1779 with curate John Newton, the composer of Amazing Grace. Quotations from some of Cowper's now familiar hymns also appear in the window.
Another notable Olney resident was architect George Gilbert Scott, who was brought up here. The 1870s restoration of the nave and chancel was by him.
Olney's village sign depicts the famous pancake race that still takes place here every Shrove Tuesday. It finishes at the church with a Shriving service. The tradition goes back to 1445.