Below is a picture of North Cerney church in Gloucestershire. Nowadays I live near to the beautiful churches of the Cotswolds but they are frustratingly hard to access, as Gloucestershire seems indifferent, if not hostile, to non-drivers. Moaning aside, I include this church because it has one of the most tasteful and sensitive restorations of a medieval interior anywhere: There is a beautiful rood loft, which you can actually walk up to and peer out from, which was made in the 1920's - along with various screens and statues. There is also genuine medieval glass of a very high quality, a charming saddleback roof, the type of which you can only see in this tiny part of the world. Also, on the south wall there is a bizarre carving of the fabled beast known as the Manticora. The meaning of that on a church exterior is a mystery - and mystery, I suppose, is part of the charm of English churches.At least a very benevolent, spinsterly, sherry and evensong-loving Anglican mystery.
		And this is a picture of the inside of North Cerney church, with the famous neo-rood loft. The Crucifix is genuinely old; it is Italian and dates from around 1600. I also find golden chandeliers very handsome, and would love to attend a service where there was a chandelier with all candles blazing. One of the best features of this church is its surroundings (although the interior is one of the most beautiful I have seen). The Churn Valley is beautiful and peaceful, and if you have time visit the miniature church of Bagendon about 1 and a half miles away
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