These Grade II listed former almshouses were built around 1890. Since converted into one house, they have triangular-arched entrances & decorative timber-framed gables.

Mark Acton, 2020 

This large house of nine bays built in the early Georgian period was demolished in 1926.

The Scrope family acquired most of the land in South Cockerington in the sixteenth century from the Vavasours and it was Gervase Scrope, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, who built this house.

This became the secondary property of the Scropes of Danby, North Yorkshire, and was neglected for the second half of the nineteenth century.

More details about this house and its owners can be found in T R Leach and R Pacey's book, 'Lost Lincolnshire Country Houses: Volume 1', published by SLHA.  Buy a copy.

Built in 1855 and closed in 1985, this chapel was used as a workshop but now appears disused.

Mark Acton, 2020 

The former vicarage stands immediately north of the church.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

A greenstone church typical of the area with a Perpendicular tower. The interior is dominated by a monument to Sir Adrian Scrope, attributed to Epiphanius Evesham.

East of the church stood South Cockerington Hall.

Mark Acton, 2020 

A church built of greenstone with a tower in Perpendicular fifteenth-century style.

Peter Kirk Collection, 1996

This view from the north-east shows the predominance of Spilsby sandstone in the church’s construction, although chalk blocks form the inner walls of the tower.

The gable ends of the nave and chancel are stone coped and have crosses at the roof ridge.

The main doorway is from the north side of the nave through a nineteenth-century gabled porch.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

This view from the south-east indicates that buttressing of the tower on the south elevation has involved some use of brick.

The fifteenth-century priests’ door has been blocked but still retains its triangular head.

Holly trees are slowly obscuring the view of this side of the church.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

The Scrope shield is azure (blue) with a bend (diagonal line) or (gold); the supporting birds are Cornish choughs; above the helmet is a coronet gules (red) with a plume of five feathers argent (silver) issuing from it. When seen by Holles the lower edge of this tablet showed a scroll with the motto ‘Arma Virumque Cano’ which can be translated as ‘This is the story of a man and his struggle’ and is the opening words of Virgil’s Aeneid.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

Above the feet of the monument is a slate panel with the following text: THE THRICE NOBLE SIR ADRIAN SCROPE/ KNIGHT DECEASED THE 10 DECEMB. 1623/ Tombes are but dumbe lay-bookes, they onely keepe/ their names alive who in there wombes doe sleepe/ but who would pen the vertues of this knight/ a story not an epitaph must write.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

The Mothers’ Union banner displayed is for Alvingham with North and South Cockerington.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

In the south wall of the chancel is this simple piscina. A similar recess on the north side appears to be a credence shelf.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

The 15th century screen was much restored in the 19th century. The lower blind traceried panels are said to be entirely 19th century.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

Although pulled to the western edge of the churchyard, this gravestone is now supported by a single  branch of ivy which has grown through a central hole in the top edge to secure it to the fence.

It reveals a sad story: Here lies the Body’s/ of George and Eliz/ Son and Daughter/ of George and Re-/becca Dunham both/ Departed July the 7th/ 1759 he in the 19 she/ 17 Year of their Ages/ They’re plucked like Roses -/ (not full blown/ As you above may be?/ To heaven I hope they both/ (are gone/ To reign eternally

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

A handsome grey and white marble tablet with urn and drapery is in memory of a former incumbent. It reads:

THIS TABLET/ IS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF/ THE REVEREND DANIEL BENSON/ WHO WAS VICAR OF THIS PARISH DURING/ A PERIOD OF 17 YEARS,/ AND WHO DIED ON THE 18TH OF DECEMBER 1831,/ IN THE 71ST YEAR OF HIS AGE./ AND OF MRS JANE BENSON HIS WIDOW/ AND RELICT WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE/ SECOND DAY OF MAY 1841, IN THE 85TH/ YEAR OF HER AGE.

During his period at South Cockerington Benson was also vicar of Strubby.

Just below the tablet a tell-tale can be seen, monitoring the diagonal crack across the western return of the nave.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

Alongside the northern edge of Sir Adrian Scrope’s monument are two slate ledger slabs to two later members of the same family.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

Sir Adrian Scope is shown wearing a ruff at his neck and in armour.

The sash around his neck retains blue colouring. His left hand rests on the hilt of his sword.

Scope was knighted in July 1603 by King James I.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

A sword and a pair of gauntlets can be seen below the knees of the figure.

The feet rest against a fan of five feathers.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

Despite the monument showing no figure of a wife or giving her any mention – she was Ursula Clifton – there are two panels on the front of the monument showing Sir Adrian and Dame Ursula’s nine children.

The left hand panel shows six sons beneath a text scroll which reads: SIMILIS IN PROLE RESURGO. This means ‘I rise again like a child’.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

The outstanding feature of the church is this alabaster monument to Sir Adrian Scrope who died in 1623. It is attributed to sculptor Epiphanius Evesham.

Sir Adrian rises from his tomb, resting on his left elbow, looking to the east.

Jean Howard, May 2024 

South Cockerington St Leonard looking E

The view down the nave shows the fine screen and the position of the monument to Sir Adrian Scrope. Only the lower half of the nave walls are plastered.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

South Cockerington St Leonard looking W

This view shows the high 14th century tower arch. A section of chalk walling can be seen to the right of the tower. The blocked south doorway is evident beside the organ.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

A substantial parish chest made of planks with two half-lids on long iron hinges.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

A number of consecration crosses appear on the nave walls as a surface paint outline. Their existence seems strange since the Spilsby sandstone walls must once have been plastered.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

15th century octagonal font on a tall base, the bowl with cusped panels containing blank shields.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

Organ positioned at the west end of the nave.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

19th century wooden pulpit on ashlar base.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

On the east side of the north doorway is this 15th century holy water stoup.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024 

The tower has a battlemented parapet with large grotesque gargoyles and corner pinnacles.

Jean Howard 7 May 2024