Tag Archives: Heritage Open Days

September Tours of St Peter’s Church

Posted on by

St. Peter’s, Church Langton

Walk and tour of St Peter’s

13th & 20th September 2026, 1.30pm

National Trust Heritage Open Days 2026

New this year – see some archaeological and historical church artifacts, then join our Guided Tour of the church, highlighting the architectural and historical features.

Discover more as Heritage Open Days celebrates the creativity in this beautiful church www.heritageopendays.org.uk

St. Peter’s tall 14th century tower is an imposing landmark in the rolling hills of South
Leicestershire. This magnificent Grade 2* church is just off the A6 on the B6047. Church Langton is on the Leicestershire Round with several other footpaths leading to the village and along with the surrounding Langtons has one of three pleasant country pubs offering Sunday lunch.

Rector William Hanbury organised the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a Parish Church in England in St Peter’s on 27th September 1759.

Victorian renovations resulted in the elaborate carvings on the pews and pulpit and a reredos in the chancel.

St Peter's: View to the High Altar
St Peter’s: View to the High Altar
St Peter's Church, Reredos: Last Supper, J Reid, after Leonardo Da Vinci
St Peter’s Church, Reredos: Last Supper, J Reid, after Leonardo Da Vinci
St Peter's Church - 250th Anniversary, 'Messiah' Programme and tickets
St Peter’s Church – 250th Anniversary, ‘Messiah’ Programme and tickets
St Peter's Church - Vicar Board - detail, showing Laurence Saunders dates of service
St Peter’s Church – Vicar Board – detail, showing Laurence Saunders dates of service
St Peter's Church, Shepherd's Window
St Peter’s Church, Shepherd’s Window
StPeter's Church Langton: HighAltar and Reredos
StPeter’s Church Langton: HighAltar and Reredos
Photo shows ancient carving in stone of Sheila-Na-Gig found inside St Peter's Church, Photo by Maxine Dodd, copyright reserved
Sheila-Na-Gig Carving Stone Carving

Access / Toilets

No formal wheelchair access and some uneven ground in churchyard. No toilet facilities inside church. All of these issues are the reasons why we’re desperate to raise funds!

Donations welcome

The tours are free, but donations are very gratefully received on the day (or at any time online, see below).

Contactless payments in church now available, albeit a bit slow! Otherwise, you can donate with cash, or use the QR Code in church to donate online.

All cashless donations are made securely with our ‘Give a Little’ account.

Make a secure donation here:

Donate now

treasurer@churchlangton.org.uk
or write to Treasurer, c/o
St Peter’s Church, Stonton Road, Church Langton,
LE16 7TA

Point your cameraphone at the QR Code for secure access to donate with Give a Little

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Directions

Find us just off the B6047 Market Harborough to Melton Road, 3 miles from Kibworth, 6 miles from Market Harborough. Postcode for satellite navigation systems LE16 7SZ – What three word link: https://w3w.co/cubed.thinkers.upholds

Learn more
Heritage open days

National Trust Heritage Open Days

Posted on by

Sundays 8th & 15th September 2024, 3pm

St. Peter’s, Church Langton

Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7SZ

Join our guided tour of the church, highlighting the architectural and historical features. Learn more about the colourful history of St Peter’s Church and discover the intricate carvings and unique features of this remarkable Grade II* Listed building. The tours are part of the Heritage Festival which takes place annually in September.

Admission is free and refreshments served afterwards. Tours start at 3pm and last around an hour.

St Peter's: View to pulpit
St Peter’s: View to pulpit

A taste of the Tour – Some things you’ll discover

St. Peter’s hosted the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a parish church 27th September 1759. It was performed as part of a festival of music organised by Rector William Hanbury. Visionary, botanist and priest – a unique man whose legacy lives on to this day.

St. Peter’s is the Mother Church of The Langtons, dating back to Norman times and was possibly an Anglo Saxon minster. This medieval church, of amazing proportions has so much heritage of interest dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries with the tower, clerestory and nave arcades, the work of the 15th century.

Victorian renovations resulted in the elaborate carvings on the pews and pulpit and a reredos in the chancel which is an alabaster representation of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

And that’s only part of the story! Learn more with a Guided Tour

Guided Tour Details                                                                                          

Sunday 8th September: 3.00pm
Sunday 15th September: 3.00pm

No booking required, just arrive at 3pm. We look forward to welcoming you.

Refreshments

Simple refreshments will be available afterwards.

Access

No direct wheelchair access but prior notice by email here, for assistance for wheelchair users. There is uneven ground in churchyard. Parking on the road outside, toilet facilities by arrangement – please ask for assistance – Further parking at the Community Hall on Stonton Road. Approximately 5-10 minutes’ walk.

Directions

Find us just off the B6047 Market Harborough to Melton Road, 3 miles from Kibworth, 6 miles from Market Harborough. Postcode for satellite navigation systems LE16 7SZ –

What three word link: https://w3w.co/cubed.thinkers.upholds

Learn more
Heritage open days

National Trust Heritage Open Days

Posted on by

12th and 19th September 2021

St. Peter’s, Church Langton

Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7SZ

Join our guided tour of the church, highlighting the architectural and historical features. St. Peter’s hosted the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a parish church. 

St. Peter’s is the Mother Church of The Langtons, dating back to Norman times and was possibly an Anglo Saxon minster. This medieval church, of amazing proportions has so much heritage of interest dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries with the tower, clerestory and nave arcades, the work of the 15th century.

Rector William Hanbury organised the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a Parish Church in England in St Peter’s on 27th September 1759.

Victorian renovations resulted in the elaborate carvings on the pews and pulpit and a reredos in the chancel which is an alabaster representation of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

Opening Times                                                                                              

Sunday 12 September: 2.00pm
Sunday 19 September: 2.00pm

Booking Details

Advance booking required.                                                           
Contact: Roz Folwell 01858 545160 r.folwell@btinternet.com

Booking opens: 1 August 2021 00:00
Booking closes: 19 September 2021 00:00

Access

No wheelchair access, uneven ground in churchyard.

COVID-19 Considerations

This event will run in line with local & national government guidelines at the time of the festival. Please do not attend if anyone in your family is exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.

Additional Information

No toilet facilities inside church, but car parking and toilet facilities available at Langton Community Hall approx five minutes walk from church, where Cream Teas will be available in aid of St Peter’s Church.


Printed Guide available for £1. Bookmarks £1 – Please bring correct money.                  
Maximum 20 people per tour. Tour lasts approx 1 hour 30 minutes
Cream Teas available at Langton Community Hall afterwards.

Directions

Find us just off the B6047 Market Harborough to Melton Road, 3 miles from Kibworth, 6 miles from Market Harborough. Postcode for satellite navigation systems LE16 7SZ – What three word link: https://w3w.co/cubed.thinkers.upholds


Organised by

Roz Folwell

Learn more
Heritage open days