Saleby draws attention to specific historical details: St Margaret’s Church brings together a knight’s effigy and a brass relief in the chancel; the remains of a medieval churchyard cross add to this theme. The building’s history, memorial art and a described footpath link to Thoresthorpe appeal to different interests and can be planned as separate highlights.

St Margaret’s Church: Building and Features

St Margaret’s Church was built by Stephen Lewin in 1850 and restored in 1958. In the chancel, a full-length effigy of a knight in chain mail and a surcoat stands in a vaulted recess on the north wall. A small brass relief in the chancel floor commemorates George Harrington, who died in 1556. The chain mail and surcoat give the figure two specific, distinct features; the floor relief, by contrast, is dedicated to a person named in the inscription. The dates refer to different events: 1556 marks Harrington’s death, 1850 the building of the church and 1958 its restoration. This makes it possible to distinguish personal remembrance, figurative art and building history.

The Medieval Churchyard Cross

The remains of the churchyard cross at St Margaret’s Church are considered a good example of a medieval standing cross; the carved base is particularly rare. The base and lower part of the shaft of a medieval limestone cross have survived. The base is square and chamfered, while the shaft is octagonal; the chamfer forms a transition between the angular base and the differently shaped shaft. The cross is thought to remain in its original location. Together with the objects in the chancel, it offers a second way to explore Saleby’s medieval monuments: here, the focus is on the material, shape and surviving structural elements.

A Footpath to Thoresthorpe

The Sale 281/1 footpath, described in August 2017, connects the southern edge of Saleby with the northern edge of Thoresthorpe. For planning purposes, this is a different category from a church visit: the route links the edges of two settlements, while the historical features are concentrated at St Margaret’s Church. If you would like to include the route in your stay, check its current condition before setting out. This lets you choose between a culture-focused stay and a plan that also includes a walk.

Plan Your Visit and Accommodation

No opening hours are listed for St Margaret’s Church; contact the church directly for more information. Check the timing in advance if you plan to visit the interior, and fit it in with the rest of your stay. If the church is the main reason for your visit, first check when a visit may be possible; you can then consider the footpath as a separate part of your travel plans. This allows you to make both decisions separately and tailor the length of your stay to your priorities.

Discover more destinations: Hackthorn, Marston, Messingham, Swineshead, Sutton On Sea, Alford, Market Rasen, Saxilby

For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.