Langley Chapel — Attraction in Ruckley and Langley

Great little place if you're into your history. What makes this place is the original, yes original, furniture that survives from the 1600's! Which has to be said is in pretty remarkable condition! Anyone wanting to visit this place, once you take a right in Acton Burnell the sat nav will say you've arrived, you haven't, continue along the country road for a good 5 minutes and you'll see another one of them brown "POI" signs to turn left, another couple of minutes and you'll see the chapel in a field on your right. The doors are locked however there is a big key padlocked to the second door which you can use to unlock the door yourself. Once inside you'll see why this place is highly reviewed by the people that's...

Langley Chapel is a stark and beautiful example of a puritan church. The original chapel was built here by the Burnells of Acton Burnell Castle in 1313, and the main structure dates from this time. The chapel was re-roofed in 1601, a date that can be found on the timbers. The chapel was refurnished in the 17th century. Most of the pews are rough hewn aside from a few box pews. There is a Jacobean looking pulpit and canopied reading desk. The chancel features medieval tiles and a plain table instead of an altar. On the south wall, there is a simple plaster frieze of the Tudor Rose and fleur-de-lis. In a few places, there are crudely carved human faces on the ends of...

Amazingly well-preserved example of a small late Tudor rural chapel and a delight for architectural and Church history aficionados.

The English Heritage-placed signage inside this church is a little off historically, though: this is not a "Puritan church" but rather a proper Church of England (i.e., Anglican) parish church. Most of the Puritans, and all of them that founded new congregations after the Restoration, left the Church of England in 1660-1662. This church predates the reign of James I, being built during the final years of the Elizabethan era, when Puritanism was in...