Clayworth: St Peter’s Church and Chesterfield Canal

Clayworth combines a distinctive church and art focus with the history of the Chesterfield Canal. St Peter’s Church reflects several centuries of building history and features murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair. The canal forms the southern boundary of the village; bridges and boat traffic add to the scene. For travellers, Clayworth’s themes are clearly distinct: sacred art and architecture, and the canal’s built heritage.

St Peter’s Church: Building History and Traquair Murals

St Peter’s Church is a Grade I listed parish church. Its architectural features date from the 12th to the 15th centuries; John Oldrid Scott restored the church in 1874–1875. The building thus brings together medieval fabric and a restoration undertaken in the 19th century.

The Traquair Murals cover all four walls of the chancel. Phoebe Anna Traquair created only two mural ensembles of this kind in England; one of them is in St Peter’s Church. The complete decoration of the chancel and the rarity of this body of work in England make the murals a striking art feature of Clayworth.

Another distinctive feature is the well-preserved 13th-century stone rood screen, considered rare for a village church. The tomb of Humphrey Fitzwilliam is also precisely located: the chest-shaped monument to Fitzwilliam, who died in 1556, is beneath the easternmost arch of the north chancel arcade.

An Earlier Chapter in the Village’s Religious History

The Old Chapel extends the historical perspective beyond the parish church: it is a former Methodist chapel dating from 1824. The parish church brings together features from the 12th to the 15th centuries; The Old Chapel recalls its former use as a Methodist chapel.

The Chesterfield Canal and Historic Bridges

The Chesterfield Canal forms Clayworth’s southern boundary. Otter’s Bridge 68 is located on the canal near Clayworth. The original red-brick bridge has a humpback shape, is Grade II listed and remains in use. Its building material, shape and listed status make it a tangible example of Clayworth’s canal history.

Gray’s Bridge near Clayworth also crosses the Chesterfield Canal. It dates from 1771–1777 and remains in use; however, only its foundations are original. The comparison highlights a difference between the bridges: Otter’s Bridge is distinguished by its original brick construction and humpback shape, while at Gray’s Bridge the original fabric is limited to the foundations.

Practical Information

In 2026, St Peter’s Church is listed as open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. If you are planning your visit, check the opening hours in advance. The Retford & Worksop Boat Club in Clayworth has a water point; visitor moorings are sometimes available there. As availability varies, it is best to check in advance if you are planning to moor.

Discover more destinations: Southwell, Coddington, Dunham, Kimberley, Clipstone, Edwinstowe, Ordsall, Woodborough

For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.