Witherley

St Peter’s Church

Welcome to our church. We will soon have much more information on this page.

The church wardens are Gaynor Smith & Janet Harding.

Regular Monthly Services

1st Sunday All Age Worship 10:30am

2nd Sunday Benefice Service (rotated around the five churches) 10:30am

3rd Sunday Occasional Service (see notice board)

4th Sunday Holy Communion 10:30am

5th Sunday Benefice Service (rotated around the five churches) 10:30am

The Village

Witherley village is situated on the east bank of the River Anker and bordered by the A5, the Roman Watling Street, to the south. It lies a mile from the town of Atherstone, famous for its former hatting industry and Shrove Tuesday Football Game. Village facilities include St Peter’s Church, Witherley Church of England Primary School, Parish Room, Blue Lion Public House, Football Club and a Memorial Playing Field. The closed Atherstone Hunt stables and kennels are located in the village.

Life of the Church

Church open daily

Monthly Church/ Village magazine

Weekly ‘Coffee and Chat’ in the Church

Winter Warmers Supper in Witherley Parish Room

Church Open Day on Easter Monday with Easter Flower Displays and refreshments

Summer Concert or Theatre Production in the Church

August Bank Holiday Monday with Duck Race on the River Anker and W.I refreshments in the Church

Harvest Supper in Witherley Parish Room

Christmas Bazaar with Prize Draw, various stalls, refreshments and Christmas Tree displays

Please note: all events are subject to change

History of the Village

Witherley lies in the south-west corner of Leicestershire on the border with Warwickshire. On the edge of the village lies part of the old Roman fort Manduessedum and a highly likely location for Boudicca’s final battle against the Romans. Many Roman artefacts have been found in the area, including the coffin of a young girl found in 2013. After the Battle of Bosworth Henry VII sent money to the village to compensate for the damage caused by his army prior to the battle. Witherley Hall was built around 1840 and was formerly the Rectory. During World War II the Hall was requisitioned by the army and housed at different times Dunkirk evacuees and prisoners of war.

St Peter’s Church

The medieval C14, Grade I listed, parish church is situated in the Witherley conservation area, located beside the River Anker, overlooking the meadows beyond. Its picturesque position and tall, slim, elegant, perpendicular C15 West Tower with slender crocketed spire(nearly 160 feet high) is a favourite view of local artists and a landmark of the area. In 1924, a lightning strike destroyed the spire and extensive restoration was carried out. There are five bells dating from C17 and C18. The north aisle has a piscina and aumbrey indicating that there may have been a chapel in existence. The font and south porch are C15. The East window illustrating the Te Deum dates from 1911 and there are medieval remnants of stained glass in the south window. Still in use is a two manual pipe organ, purchased in 1890.