Hello, and welcome to the historic parish church of St John the Baptist.

You’re standing at the West End of one of the largest medieval parish churches in Worcestershire, and under the tallest tower in the county, an enormous 206ft to the top of the weathercock.

Before we go further in, take a look at the walls around you. The massive stones from which the tower was built are the biggest in the whole church, and the best quality. They were hauled into place in the early 15 th century by a primitive wooden crane worked by a treadwheel, a few courses at a time. This made sure the sheer weight didn’t squeeze the lime mortar out of the joints. Each winter, the top of the uncompleted walls would be protected by a thatched roof until the risk of frost had passed, when work began again. How long do you think it took to build?

This tower is one of several across Worcestershire and Warwickshire built, we think, by a man called Henry Hulme. Hulme and his gang of masons had a distinctive style of carving, with bold architectural details, and lively and rather grotesque gargoyles. Gargoyles are the animal-like rain spouts you can see around the top of the tower outside. How many can you find?

The tower is also the strongest part of the church. It had to be - not only because of the 100ft stone spire sitting on top of it, but also because it had to cope with the stresses of ten large bells swinging to and fro for several hours at a time.

Let’s step out into the nave.