National Lottery supported us

Thanks to National Lottery players and the generosity of local people, funds, and trusts, we have been able to save St Leonard’s Church and share its heritage.

We have now completed a fascinating programme of community activities and created a range of informative, multi-media materials for use in the church and village.

All the materials are available on this website.

You can read more about the story of Flamstead Heritage in “About”.

READ about us

At the centre of the community for 800 years

St Leonard’s has been at the centre of the Flamstead community for over 800 years.

It was built in stages during the mediaeval period, not always with best practice.

As a “poor agricultural parish” in past few centuries, there were never enough funds to maintain it.

St Leonard’s was threatened with closure

But by the 2010s, rot and death watch beetle had attacked the nave roof timbers,
with a serious risk of collapse.

Time, weather and unsuitable repairs had badly damaged the stonework.

The nave roof has now been repaired ...

… and other essential works carried out. The building is now leak and damp proof.

The wall paintings, dating from the 13th century, have dried out.

A new hi-tech boiler is maintaining a steady temperature and humidity to conserve them.

Heritage is being shared

In 2024, we completed an exciting programme of community activities,
events and displays, with something for everyone.

A range of informative, multi-media interpretation materials has been created
to share the heritage as widely as possible.

St Leonard’s is a fascinating place to visit

Supported by these interpretation materials, visitors can find out
about the building history, follow trails, and see nationally important
wall paintings and mediaeval graffiti.

There are discovery activities to engage children
and amazing wildlife sculptures in the churchyard.

photo of computer screen in oak mount

EXPLORE St Leonard’s

Use the INTERACTIVE GUIDE to identify WHAT TO SEE during your VISIT

historic architecture • important wall paintings • mediaeval graffiti • little treasures

EXPLORE (new tab)
photo of leaflets on table in front of information panels

FIND OUT more

LEARN (more) about church & village: the CORE materials including all those found on-site

panels • leaflets • guidebook • lists

FIND OUT more

NEW materials

ACCESS the full set of IN-DEPTH materials CREATED by or for Flamstead Heritage

reports • videos • recordings

VIEW new materials

ARCHIVE materials

RESEARCH local history through DIGITISED materials curated from the ARCHIVES

historic records • photos • documents

VIEW the archives

Welcome to Flamstead Heritage

photo of information panel outside a church

plan a VISIT

View visitor information to help PREPARE for a visit to Flamstead and St Leonard’s.

what to see • travel • local amenities • map

Learn More

News & Blog Posts

Website updated for post-project role

Nov 19, 2024 | ,

The Flamstead Heritage website has been updated now that the formal National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project has concluded (in October 2024). Content has been updated to reflect the formal end of the project and to look back on it. The website has been...

Festival chair interviewed on local radio

May 28, 2024 | , ,

Bill Pither, the chair of the Flamstead Arts Festival committee, was interviewed at length on local radio station Mix 92.6. The interview was broadcast today, May 28th on the Mix Mornings with Elly O‘Meara show, headlined as “Flamstead Arts Festival - what a line...

VIEW ALL

CONTACT us

How to get in TOUCH, give FEEDBACK or follow us on SOCIAL MEDIA

Learn More

Contact • Information Notice • Privacy Notice • Re-use Notice • Remediation & Takedown Notice