St Mary and All Saints Church

It may be the largest church in Derbyshire, but St. Mary's and All Saints Church is actually famed for its crooked spire. There are various theories as to how this came about, from legends about the devil and a lightning strike to the fault of The Black Death and a virgin's marriage. Or perhaps it has something to do with the 32 tons of lead tiles and lack of wooden structural support. Or can we blame the good old British weather? Whatever the cause, this extraordinary tower is a 228 feet high and leans almost 8 feet.

The main body of the church also has some interesting points. The Holy Cross chapel houses an old basin for washing communion vessels (called a 'piscina'), a hagioscope (used to watch the host being elevated at High Altar) and there's a Norman font in the vicarage garden.

Undoubtedly, this 14th Century building is well worth a visit.

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