On the bus to Stamford -
St. Johns

Hop off the Delaine 301 from Deeping at All Saints and navigate your way diagonally across Red Lion Square and you will come to the gallery of Gladwell & Patterson. Founded in 1746 Gladwell Patterson is London’s oldest gallery and since 2024 has also occupied the beautifully restored five-floor former HSBC Bank on the corner of the Square and the High Street. The windows themselves are always a treat, but step inside to view exceptional paintings and sculpture.

Across the road from Gladwell’s Corner, you will find a church door tucked away behind a decorated bike. An A board announces that St John’s Church is open and cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. There has been a church on this site since the 12th century and it was founded by the Normans. It was confiscated by the King in the 14th century and local gentry and clergy then acquired the church and rebuilt it by 1451. In 1856, under the direction of local architect Edward Browning, new pews were installed, their ornate ends carved with poppy heads, and arm rests with lions and dragons. The medieval roof and angels were painted; look carefully and you will see little green men with grimacing leafy faces. While you have your head raised notice that the corbels supporting the nave roof are carved from stone in the shape of grotesque heads and caricatures, possibly of locals. New stained-glass windows were installed by renowned artist and designer, Francis Wilson Oliphant. A plaque reminds us that Sir Malcolm Sargent was brought up in the town; he was a chorister at this church and learnt to play the organ here. Another plaque is to the memory of Solomon Woodroffe who died on 30th October 1769 – he was a druggist in the town and a little research tells us that it was Solomon who had founded the pharmacy in Red Lion Square in 1720 which remained in the family’s hands for 133 years.