St Mary's Chapel, Lead — Attraction in Lead

St Mary's Church is a tiny church, alone in a fields with only mole hills and sheep for company!

Now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust, this church has some history behind it. The area surrounding the church was the site of the Battle of Towton fought on Palm Sunday in 1461. There are estimates of some 28,000 men were killed in this battle which was part of the War of the Roses

Inside is a simple layout with a Norman font, late medieval benches and a three-decker pulpit. The stone altar is a rare thing in most churches after they were banished in the Reformation in place of a wooden communion table. This one still has its consecration crosses.

There is a small car park past the pub and its a short walk across a field to the church. Livestock may be present...

This was at one point a larger chapel and also part of an estate but all that is left is a fairly intact chapel in a field on its own. It is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

It is advisable to have good footwear as, when I went, the field was still quite damp after the wet winter. There is a lay-by to park in very close as well.

The chapel is quite basic inside but in good condition. It is likely survivors from the battle of Towton sheltered there as the chapel is within a mile of the site...

All that remains of the village of Lead is the chapel of St Mary, which belonged to a large Manor House belonging to the Tyas family in the 14th century. No expense was spared in building this chapel; it was originally twice its current size, the windows are very fine, and its roof was gilded with gold! Today, the chapel is very simple and has a lovely...