St Leonard’s Church, House & Wychnor, Staffordshire DE13 8BY Heritage generally
🏰 St Leonard’s Church & Wychnor Heritage Project
Exploring the rich history, local legends, and living memory of a remarkable English village.
Welcome to this evolving record of St Leonard’s Church in Wychnor (DE13 8BY) — a quiet yet extraordinary site nestled above the Trent Valley. From its 12th-century origins to modern-day pilgrimage trails, St Leonard’s sits at the heart of a deeply layered landscape of faith, war, folklore, and community.
Follow this tour from the canal around the Church.
🧭 St Leonard’s Church is a Convergence Point for Multiple Routes:
Parish Walks & Churches Trail (PWCT)
▸ Pilgrimage-style walking route → Lichfield Cathedral
▸ Promotes church visits, reflection, and quiet explorationAlrewas to Wychnor Circular
▸ Popular with walkers, nature lovers, canal-side strollers
▸ Connects canal towpath, Wychnor Hall, and back to AlrewasYoxall to Wychnor Bridges
▸ Cross-field heritage route → Wychnor Hall → Church → Towpath
▸ Stunning variety (fields, woodland, golf course, canal)Way for the Millennium (Wychnor to Burton)
▸ Historic canal path with layered industrial, war, and natural history
▸ Passes church, medieval village, Barton Turns, and Branston Water ParkHeritage Loops and Custom Trails
▸ Royal Oak pub + Cromwell legend
▸ Royalist and Roundhead storytelling loop (including Lichfield siege references)
🧭 Origins of the Name "Wychnor"
The name “Wychnor” is derived from the older form “Wiccanor,” which itself comes from Hwicce — an early Anglo-Saxon kingdom that existed from the 6th to 8th centuries in what is now central England. Hwicce was known for its tribal governance and early Christian roots, giving Wychnor not only a geographic legacy but also a spiritual and cultural one.
🔹 About the Church
St Leonard’s is a Grade II listed building* with red sandstone foundations and architectural elements from the 12th, 14th, and 17th centuries. Its tower overlooks the River Trent and historic Wychnor Bridges — one of the few crossing points for centuries.
🔗 Historic England Listing
A local legend claims that Oliver Cromwell had the top of the tower knocked off during the Civil War due to its strategic value — a tale that echoes in the church’s commanding views.
🥾 Part of the Pilgrim Trail
St Leonard’s is an official stop on the Parish Walks and Churches Trail (PWCT) — a pilgrimage route through Staffordshire that connects local churches with Lichfield Cathedral.
From May to August, the church is open to visitors. We welcome walkers, pilgrims, and history lovers with open doors and — soon — a Pilgrim Stamp & Reflection Point.
⚔️ Civil War & Royalist Legends
The region has strong Civil War links, including:
The Siege of Lichfield Cathedral (1643), where a Royalist sniper shot a Parliamentarian general from the tower
The nearby Royal Oak pub in Barton-under-Needwood, featuring a sign of King Charles II hiding in an oak tree
Together, these stories weave a rich narrative of loyalty, strategy, and local resilience.
🪦 Stories from the Churchyard
Our peaceful churchyard holds a WWII memorial listing villagers who served and died. Among them is a sailor from HMS Barham, a battleship sunk in 1941 — a tragedy linked to one of the last trials under the Witchcraft Act in the UK.
More on that story coming soon...
⚓ In Memory of Harry Dooling (1923–1941)
HMS Barham – Royal Navy – Age 18
A son of Wychnor.
Lost at sea in November 1941 when HMS Barham was torpedoed by a German U-boat.
Harry’s mother worked as a cook at Wychnor Hall.
He is remembered on the St Leonard’s Churchyard War Memorial, where these words are inscribed:
“Let him sleep.
Where sleep the men who made us free,
For England’s heart is in the deep,
And England’s glory is the sea.”
📍 Medieval Wychnor & Lost Settlements
Just beside the church lie the moated remains of Wychnor Hall and a deserted medieval village, now a Scheduled Monument.
There’s a historical board on-site showing what the village may have looked like — ideal for educational visits or self-guided walking tours.
🔗 Historic England Listing for Wychnor Hall Site
🍽️ Somervills Restaurant & Bar – Now Open at Wychnor Hall
Website: somervills.co.uk (launching soon)
Location: Within Wychnor Park Country Club, a short stroll from St Leonard’s Church
Style: Upscale casual – British heritage cuisine with modern flair
Soft Launch Highlights:
Locally-sourced ingredients (e.g. Owen Taylors butchers)
Signature dishes include:
🥩 Bourbon Glazed Short Ribs
🍔 ‘1066’ Smash Burger
🥗 Tuna Niçoise Salad
🍕 Florentine & Prosciutto Pizzas
🧀 Grilled Halloumi Flatbread
🍝 Pasta Pomodoro for kids
💞 Support & Sponsorship
We're exploring ways to support the upkeep and future of St Leonard’s. Coming soon:
A Sponsors Board inside the church
Opportunities to help with heritage walks, creative events, or memorial care
Printable pilgrimage cards and downloadable trail guides
If you'd like to get involved or support the project, just reply here or contact Chris Windley directly.
UK Cyber Security Limited Sponsors the Wychnor Digital History Project.
✍️ Authored by Chris Windley, with contributions from the local community.
🕊️ “The secrets of Wychnor are waiting to be remembered — and retold.”