IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Church Lane, NOTTINGHAM, NG14 7BQ

This bridge on Church Lane carries traffic across Cocker Beck, passes the entrance gates to the parish church of St Mary the Virgin and then continues uphill for a further 200 metres until it reaches (the newer) graveyard extension situated at the conclusion of this cul-de-sac. This tributary arises in the Lambley Dumbles, passes through Lowdham and joins the River Trent at Gunthorpe.

Church Lane carries traffic across Cocker Beck (behind the photographer), passes the entrance gates to the parish church of St Mary the Virgin and then continues uphill for a further 200 metres until it reaches the local cemetery - an extension of the church's graveyard - that is situated at the conclusion of this cul-de-sac.

Narrow descent from Lowdham Cemetery

At this point the path curves between the stream and the outer earthwork of the old castle, which appears to have been a simple motte and bailey.

Difficult to distinguish in a photograph, but the ground does rise from a moat to a plateau. Marked on the 1:25000 map, but apparently not listed as an ancient monument.

The motte was excavated in the late 1930s indicating the presence of a stone keep, possibly 14th century. The re-creation of a watered moat appears to be modern. The site is not scheduled.

The south and south-easterly facing elevations of the Parish Church of St Mary-the-Virgin, Church Lane. This Grade I-listed building is situated in a hollow on the west side of the village, the village having being bisected just before WWII by the dual carriageway Epperstone By-Pass (the A6097). According to the Rev. A.M.Y. Baylay (in 1908) the oldest part of this church is its late C12th (or early 13th) stone tower, which may well have stood clear of the original medieval church that was probably of timber. The whole of the tower is said to be of one date with the spire being a later addition dating from the C14th or C15th. The church itself evolved through C13th, C14th and C15th and was restored in 1860. The spire it seems was substantially repaired in 1883 and the chancel was restored in 1890. A road bridge, a stone's throw away behind the photographer, carries Church Lane over Cocker Beck as the latter makes its way through this dell from west to east.

Lowdham Church is on the outskirts of the village, doubtless due to the location of the castle. This path is the most direct pedestrian access from the northern part of the village, which would account for it being so well engineered.

Autumnal carpet of leaves and attractive gates to the church of St.Mary the Virgin at Lowdham

General view from the south east. The church has an interesting chronology. The tower is the earliest part, late 12th century. Next oldest is the chancel, early 13th century, followed by nave from later that century. The aisles and clerestory have been dated to around 1500. The spire was added as part of the first 19th century restoration in 1821. Further restoration was carried out by George Gilbert Scott in 1860. Listed Grade I.