St. Giles Church, Chesterton – The Peyto Gateway loop from Chesterton Windmill
St. Giles Church, Chesterton – The Peyto Gateway loop from Chesterton Windmill
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St. Giles Church, Chesterton – The Peyto Gateway loop from Chesterton Windmill
01:24
5.29km
50m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
105 m
St. Giles Church, Chesterton
Highlight • Historical Site
It is built of Limestone and Northampton stone, in the perpendicular style, but has been altered by successive generations. It was generally restored in 1862. The walls are three foot thick and have been buttressed up, externally. The most notable feature is the length of the embattlemented parapet, which runs the whole length of the Chancel. The square tower was built of old material in the 17th Century.
The history of Chesterton Church is closely linked to that of the Peyto family who are said to have come over with William the Conqueror. Although they had previously owned land at Chesterton, it was not until the middle of the 14th Century that they came to live in the village. They built their big house to the north west of the church and established the fish ponds, over which they had to cross on their way to worship. Their later and more stylish Manor House built on the hill to the north of the church was pulled down in 1802.
The Peyto’s were prominent men of their time. They included lawyers, soldiers and Members of Parliament. In the Civil War, Sir Edward Peyto supported Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, successfully leading the defence of Warwick Castle against the Royalists. The Peyto line ended in 1746 and the Manor and the Estate passed to the Verney family to whom they were linked by an earlier marriage. The Verneys are still the Patrons of Chesterton Church, through Lord Willoughby de Broke, 21st. Baron.
In Victorian times heating was from three open fires in the central aisle with an under floor flue leading to a chimney within the Tower.
For many years Chesterton was the Mother Church of the district, with coffins being carried from as far away as Bishop’s Itchington for burial. The registers date from 1538 and are now held in the County Archives.
Tip by
155 m
The Peyto Gateway
Highlight • Monument
Gateway. Probably 1630's. For Sir Edward Peyto and copy of a design by Inigo Jones. English bond red brick with moulded, cut and rubbed brick. Classical style. Round arch with keyblock, pilasters, entablature and pediment. Pilasters, wall, and arch have intermittent rustication. It is likely that this gateway was built at about the same time as Chesterton Windmill (q.v.). It is a close copy, at about three-quarters scale, of one of the two churchyard gateways flanking Jones' St Paul, Covent Garden, of 1631, see Vitruvius Britannicus (ii, 1717, pl 21-2).
Tip by
2.20 km
View of Wheat Fields
Highlight • Natural
2.20 km
Wheatfields Bridleway to M40 Crossing
Highlight • Cycleway
Tip by
5.29 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.80 km
1.02 km
888 m
576 m
Surfaces
4.49 km
576 m
212 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Wednesday 27 May
28°C
12°C
5 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.