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A delightful rural church just south of the river Thames on the northern fringe of Wiltshire, St John the Baptist is largely 13th century. The glory of this church at Inglesham is its wealth of medieval and earlier wall paintings. The earliest of these is a painting on the south wall depicting Mary and Jesus being blessed by the Hand of God, and thought to be Saxon in origin. There are groups of paintings covering the 13th to the early 19th century, in some cases overlapping each other and up to seven layers thick. One of the most prominent is a 14th-century Doom (Last Judgement) in the north aisle.

The interior is filled with original 17th-and 18th-century box pews, and a pulpit of similar age. The small chancel is separated from the nave by a wooden 15th-century screen. The interior is blissfully unaltered and would likely be recognized instantly by a 17th-century parishioner.

One of the reasons that Inglesham church remains so unspoilt is probably down to the intervention of William Morris, the Arts and Crafts movement pioneer. Morris lived at Kelmscott, a short distance away, and led a restrained programme of restoration in 1888 that kept the medieval character of the church largely intact.

SECRETS

While you’re there

Visit LECHLADE-ON-THAMES less than a mile away. Often overlooked, this pretty market town has some beautiful old houses, and its bridge across the Thames still has its toll house.

Secret place to stay

THE NEW INN HOTEL, Lechlade-on-Thames (newinnhotel.co.uk). On the banks of the river, in a tranquil setting.

An unassuming exterior hides internal glory.