Warton Old Rectory

Religious Place In Lancaster, Lancashire

14th century rectory, home for the rector of the local church

On our recent break in Lancashire we visited the beautiful Warton Crag Nature Reserve and spotted the Old Rectory close by. There is not much on the site really, but you can spend 10 minutes or so pottering around and admiring the medieval stonework in the lovely village of Warton.

Constructed in the early 14th century, the Old Rectory was a home and a symbol of power and wealth. It served as the residence of the rector of St. Oswald's Church (situated opposite the rectory), and a manorial centre where local courts were held. This dual function demonstrated the role the rector played in medieval society, acting as both a spiritual leader and local administrator. The fact that Warton became one of the wealthiest rectories in the diocese of York further emphasises the influence associated with this site.

The layout of the Old Rectory reflects the typical design of a medieval house. The rectory consists of the great hall, used for gatherings and the administration of justice, and the service rooms, which included the buttery and pantry. There may also have been a private chapel within the complex used for worship.

The history of the Old Rectory reflects the power struggles of the time. The patronage of the church was a contested issue between the de Thweng family and the monarch. However, unlike monastic houses, the rectory was not directly affected by the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, a fact that perhaps contributed to its survival. It was later abandoned in the 18th century and by 1721, it was sadly left to ruin.

Warton Old Rectory is managed by English Heritage and is free to the public, but check the English Heritage website for the opening hours. When we got there one late afternoon we interrupted a game of football going on inside it, so we hope the walls will still be standing if you visit!

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Contributed by Sandra Clemens

I love the great outdoors and have been a National Trust & English Heritage member for years. I also love going off the beaten track and finding places like Sharp's Folly or Rothley Castle which are hidden gems in Northumberland. My favourite recent hike was climbing Red Screes in the Lake District on a whim, not fully grasping how high 776m was. It was still an achievement to conquer a Wainwright walk and I hope to do more one day.

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