SOUTH LEIGH

Situated in a quiet lane the tiny village of South Leigh is a must-visit place because of its two unexpected attractions.

The first of these is the 12th century Church of St. James the Great which is at the end of a short lane at an attractive part of the village known as Church End. Additions and alterations were made to the church in the 14th and 15th century. However when renovations were carried out in the 19th century extensive wall paintings were discovered. They include a Doom painting over the chancel arch, the seven deadly sins, St. Michael weighing souls, the Virgin Mary (originally part of an Annunciation scene) and a rare painting of St. Clement. At that time the paintings were heavily restored and the weighing of souls was redrawn at twice its original size. For the history and full information about St. James' Church click here.

The second is the 16th century The Masons Arms, part of the Artist Residence group of boutique hotels.

South Leigh is half way between Witney and Stanton Harcourt.