A rood screen with carved and painted figures stands in the Church of St Edward the Confessor in Kempley; in St Mary's Church, the wall paintings in the nave date from the 14th to the 16th century. This contrast brings together two different perspectives on art history. Another option is the Daffodil Way: the circular route is approximately eight miles long, while a signposted section leads to Kempley Green. This lets you give church art and walking different levels of emphasis during your stay.

Church Art and Architecture

The Church of St Edward the Confessor was built in 1902–03 to designs by Randall Wells for Lord Beauchamp. The construction period, architect and patron provide clear historical points of reference for the building. Inside is a rood screen with carved and painted figures of Christ, St John and St Mary. The rood screen itself is part of the architectural design; the figures and architectural feature can be viewed as a unified work. St Edward's Church also has three sculpted stone reliefs based on designs by Randall Wells. Wells designed both the church and these reliefs, linking the building's history with stone sculpture. The church therefore brings together a rood screen with figures and sculptural works in stone. For art enthusiasts, this offers a concrete comparison between architecture, figurative design and relief sculpture.

The wall paintings in St Mary's Church are in the nave and date from the 14th to the 16th century. Together with the construction of St Edward's in 1902–03, they create a clear contrast in time. The art forms also differ: here the focus is on wall paintings, while there it is on the rood screen and sculpted stone reliefs. You can therefore explore Kempley's church art by period or by artistic form.

The Daffodil Way: Circular Route and Signposted Section

The Daffodil Way offers a different focus for planning your trip. The circular route is approximately eight miles long. A signposted section starts in Queenswood, follows forest tracks through hedgerows and meadows with daffodils, and leads to Kempley Green. The length of the circular route and the described section offer two different points of reference: an approximate distance for the former, and a named starting point and destination, together with the route it follows, for the latter. This lets you distinguish the circular route's distance from the specific sequence of the section, rather than combining them into a single route. Check the trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Maps for Planning Your Walk

Walking maps for the Daffodil Way are available to buy at the Village Hall and St Mary's Church. Availability may vary depending on the year of the event. If you need a map for your planning, check in advance whether it is on sale.

Discover more destinations: Dymock, Eastleach, Notgrove, Staunton, Alderton, Lechlade, Winchcombe, Littledean

For the wider travel guide: Gloucestershire.