St Alkelda's Church, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire

Details

Accessibility

The road leading to the gateway, Church Street, has double yellow No Parking lines both sides. The church is accessed up two stone steps through a gateway then a covered archway that leads to a flagged stone pathway up to the entrance door. The path on the right leads to a ramp, the path on the left has two steps with an iron handrail leading to the vestibule. There is a notice outside warning of slippery floors when wet. The ramp entrance has a heavy wooden door leading inside the church. Inside there is a central aisle with columns and side aisles, all fairly well lit by low-lying windows.  New LED lighting makes the chancel much brighter. 

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6880/facilities/ Defibrillator, Disability Toilet

Brief description

There are only two churches dedicated to St Alkelda, at Giggleswick (Grade I listed) and Middleham, also in North Yorkshire. St Alkelda is famous for using nearby wells for baptising converts. She became a martyr when she was strangled at the hands of some Danish women and there is a holy well bearing her name under the headmaster's house at Giggleswick School. The church was built on the site of an ancient Saxon church in the 14th or 15th century though the first reference to clergy is in 1160 and records show that this earlier church was given to the monks at Finchale in the 1200s. The style of the church is between Early English and Perpendicular. The octagonal font is at the back centre of the church. Information tables are set at the back of the pews.

Address

26 Church Street, Giggleswick, Settle BD24 0BE

Email (2022):

julie.clarkson@leeds.anglican.org

stephen.dawson@leeds.anglican.org

Phone

01729 825955

Website

https://giggleswickchurch.uk/

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6880/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Alkelda,_Giggleswick

Directions

Follow the B6480 road from the south till it veers northwards to Church Street after passing the town centre, then turn left at Belle Hill and right at the end onto Church Street. The church is on the right hand side of the road just after the turnoff.

Opening Times

The church is open for viewing most days but always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times as they may be subject to change.

Transport

Buses travel to Giggleswick from Shipley, Clayton, Keighley and Bingley and take 2 hours or more. The Northern line train station is a 25 minute walk away.

Amenities

There is a kitchen in the church. Toilets