---
title: "St John the Baptist, Cocayne Hatley"
description: "Located in Cocayne Hatley, Bedfordshire. Built C13–C15; restored 1823–30. Diocese of St Albans. Grade I. Medieval parish church style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Bedfordshire","Cockayne Hatley","Grade I","Medieval","Flemish woodwork"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/st-john-baptist-cockayne-hatley"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T01:30:40.489Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-07T16:07:15.188Z"
location: "Cocayne Hatley, Bedfordshire"
country: "England"
county: "Bedfordshire"
town: "Cocayne Hatley"
address: "Cocayne Hatley, Bedfordshire, SG19 2EA"
postcode: "SG19 2EA"
built: "C13–C15; restored 1823–30"
denomination: "Church of England"
dedications: ["John the Baptist"]
diocese: "St Albans"
grade: "I"
style: "Medieval parish church"
materials: "Rubble of cobbles and ironstone with ashlar dressings; embattled parapets"
openingHours: "A key may be obtained on application by email."
parish: "Cockayne Hatley"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1114107"
gridReference: "TL 256 497"
accessNotes: "Accessible toilets in church. Level access to the main areas. Ramp or level access available on request"
---

# St John the Baptist, Cockayne Hatley

The Church of St John the Baptist at Cockayne Hatley, Central Bedfordshire, is a Grade I medieval parish church in the Diocese of St Albans, known for imported Flemish woodwork.

## Overview

Historic England records a parish church of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, restored 1823–30, of rubble walls mixing cobbles and ironstone with ashlar dressings and embattled parapets throughout. The plan is chancel, nave, north and south aisles and a four-stage west tower with an octagonal north-east stair turret. The north arcade is later thirteenth century with round columns; the south is fourteenth century with octagonal columns. A fifteenth-century clerestory lights the nave. The listing notes mainly Flemish fittings brought into the church. Listed Grade I on 31 October 1966 (NHLE 1114107). A separate Grade II listing covers the grave monument to the poet W. E. Henley in the churchyard.

The civil parish is Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley. The ecclesiastical parish is Cockayne Hatley.

## Further Information

- [Historic England list entry 1114107](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1114107)
- [Wikipedia: Grade I listed buildings in Bedfordshire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_I_listed_buildings_in_Bedfordshire)