Situated within an Iron Age hillfort overlooking the Derbyshire and Leicestershire countryside, the Priory Church of St Mary and St Hardulph has served the communities of Breedon on the Hill, Tonge and Wilson for at least 1200 years. The hill has been occupied for thousands of years, and the present church is not the first. To take a virtual tour of the church, click here (select listen in browser for sound)
It is a truly iconic building and is dramatically sited on a limestone hill being cut-away by the quarry below. It can be seen for miles around in every direction, making it the perfect setting for one of the National Beacons. The church has been a Grade I listed building since 1962, which categorises it as a building of exceptional interest. Download a quick guide to ten interesting things to check out when you visit the church.
Breedon Priory Church is open on a daily basis from 9.30am. We close at 3.30pm 1st November – 31st March and 7pm the rest of the year. We have a car park reached via a single track road off Squirrel Lane which is free of charge. Please note that vehicular access to and from the site is controlled by a gate that is kept locked outside church opening times.
Feel free to leave your car in the public car park, it is on the right as you approach the church. If you are planning to walk further once you have visited the church, this car park remains open whilst the church is open. However, please ensure you remove your vehicle before the times stated above to avoid it being locked in. The church car park as indicated by the gates is only open whilst a service is taking place. There is a footpath off the car park with a couple of walks down to the village or walk back down the single track road to pick up footpaths connecting with the church. Please see the MAP below for our exact location.
The hilltop makes a great viewpoint, with information boards telling you about prominent landmarks and the site’s Iron Age past.
There are a number of circular walks around the Parish which intersect with the church and are highly recommended if you would like to explore the surrounding areas. This map is available to download as a PDF although there are often printed ones to be found on the village green.
