St George’s Church, Clun

St George’s is the parish church of Clun, a small, quiet, rural town situated on the bank of the River Clun in south west Shropshire, and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

St George’s Church is believed to have been built around the same time as nearby Clun Castle, replacing an earlier Saxon church. It has a 12th-century Norman core, with 13th and 14th-century additions, 17th-century alterations, and general restoration and additions in were carried out in 19th century.

It is a large country parish church with original Norman and medieval features including an impressive Norman tower. It has seen a number of additions and repairs over the centuries, the last being in 1877 when the damage done during the English Civil War 200 years earlier was repaired. During the restoration builders uncovered 22 medieval carved angels in the north aisle roof, unusual in this part of the country.

The church tower is generally believed to be Norman, but some believe it is earlier, perhaps Saxon. The tower features an unusual top which is believed to have been built after the nave was built and was possibly used as fortification and defence against Welsh invaders from over the Anglo-Welsh border, only a few miles away.

There isn’t really anything of much interest inside the church, maybe except from some impressive Norman-style arches, a heavily restored 14th-century font and some 17th-century wooden furniture such as the octagonal Jacobean pulpit and panelling.

Outside, the lychgate dates from 1775, and there is an ancient yew tree believed to be over 2,000 years old, the oldest in Shropshire.