In Whatton, history and landscape can be discovered through specific details: St John of Beverley has several building phases, while the moat complex consists of more than one ditch. There are also narrow lanes, tall hedges and views across the South Nottinghamshire Farmlands. This gives you clearly distinct themes for planning your trip—church, archaeological features, village character and open countryside.
St John of Beverley: Building History and Gravestones
St John of Beverley was built predominantly in the style of the late 12th to late 13th centuries. The chancel was completely rebuilt in 1846; extensive restoration of the church followed in 1870–1871. These dates point to different stages in the building’s history: a medieval period of architectural style and clearly dated work in the 19th century. There is also an effigy of Sir Hugh de Newmarch, dating from around 1400, at the east end of the south aisle. The building phases and the effigy are independent historical points of reference and should not be reduced to the same date.
The churchyard contains seven Grade II listed gravestones made of Leicestershire slate. They date from 1710 to 1748 and belong to the Carpendale family. Their material, number and dates give these gravestones a distinct character alongside the history of the church building. The 38-year span also makes clear that the stones do not all date from the same year. Those interested in historic gravestones will find another specific aspect of the village here, in addition to the effigy and the building phases.
A one-hour Holy Communion service is held at St John of Beverley on the first Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. If you would like to include this service in your trip, check the details before travelling.
Whatton’s Moat Complex
Whatton’s moat complex is designated a Scheduled Monument. It includes the moat, two fishponds—one of them on the moat island—two watercourses, and part of a boundary bank and ditch. The complex therefore comprises more than the eponymous moat: ponds, watercourses and landforms are also part of its layout. A second watercourse remains visible as a shallow depression running southwest. Both the water features and the visible line in the landscape are therefore important for understanding the site. The monument designation and its components answer different questions: the designation states the site’s status, while its individual features show how varied its composition is.
Village Character and Landscape
The old village of Whatton has no clearly defined main street. Instead, its appearance is shaped by narrow lanes, tall hedges and scattered cottages. From its edges, the Whatton-in-the-Vale Conservation Area offers views across large gardens, paddocks, fields and the open landscape of the South Nottinghamshire Farmlands. Two different scales are therefore found side by side: the village’s small-scale layout and the wide landscape views from the edges of the conservation area. If you are considering Whatton for a stay, you can include these features of the village and its landscape as themes in their own right, alongside the historic buildings.
The Windmill at Hillyside House
The windmill at Hillyside House is a five-storey round brick tower built around 1820. It has a flat roof and tapering masonry. This presents a different architectural form alongside the building history of St John of Beverley: the church is distinguished by its several building phases and an effigy, while the windmill is defined by its tower form, number of storeys and external construction. This comparison offers a specific look at the different architectural features that shape Whatton, without reducing the buildings to the same period or function.
Discover more places to visit: Ordsall, Kimberley, Clayworth, Clifton, Coddington, Nottingham, Cuckney, Normanton on Trent
For the main travel overview: Nottinghamshire.
