If you enjoy discovering the history hidden in our local countryside, this is a fascinating one to put in the diary.
St Peter’s Church at Wolfhampcote will open its doors for a special Heritage Open Day on Saturday 12th September 2026, giving visitors the chance to explore one of the area’s most atmospheric historic buildings.
The church stands almost alone in the landscape today, but centuries ago it sat at the heart of the village of Wolfhampcote.
That village has long since disappeared.
St Peter’s remains.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Venue: St Peter’s Church
Location: Wolfhampcote, near Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 8AR
Entry: Free
Booking: Not required
Volunteers will be at the church throughout the afternoon to welcome visitors, answer questions and help bring the building’s history to life.
Refreshments will also be available.
The church from a lost village
St Peter’s is a 14th-century church and the sole surviving building from the lost village of Wolfhampcote.
The settlement once stood immediately to the north of the church, but today the surrounding fields give very little indication that a whole village once existed here.
That makes arriving at St Peter’s feel rather unusual.
You find a substantial medieval church sitting quietly in the countryside, seemingly detached from the community it was originally built to serve.
For anyone interested in local history, it is a wonderful place to explore.
What can you see inside?
The exterior has plenty of character, with crooked windows, large buttresses and patchwork stonework.
Inside, things become much calmer.
Among the historic features visitors can discover are:
A beautifully carved 14th-century screen
Queen Anne Royal Arms
A Victorian Hood mausoleum
Medieval oak benches dating from around 1330 to 1360
An impressive beamed chancel roof
Some of the oak seating dates back almost 700 years, with one bench featuring particularly unusual carved ends.
It is the sort of building where taking your time pays off.
Helping to preserve St Peter’s
The church is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, which looks after historic churches that are no longer used for regular worship.
The Friends of Wolfhampcote Church have also played a major part in protecting the building.
The Friends were formed in the early 1970s and have worked with the Churches Conservation Trust to raise money for repairs and conservation ever since.
Their current project, Bring Back the Light, aims to replace polycarbonate windows with stained glass and continue enhancing this remarkable old building.
Do you need tickets?
No.
The Heritage Open Day is completely free and there is no advance booking required.
Simply head to St Peter’s Church between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 12th September.
Getting to St Peter’s Church
The event takes place at:
St Peter’s Church
Wolfhampcote
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV23 8AR
The church sits in a very rural location, which is part of its appeal.
Anyone travelling specifically for the event should allow a little extra time and follow the Churches Conservation Trust directions when approaching Wolfhampcote.
The nearest railway stations are Long Buckby, around seven miles away, and Rugby, around nine miles away.
Discover more local events
Some of the most interesting places around us are hidden just beyond the villages and roads we use every day.
From historic churches and Heritage Open Days to village shows, markets and family events, we enjoy sharing some of the local places and occasions that are worth knowing about.
Keep an eye on the Campbells community events pages for more local dates throughout the year.
