Pickwell

Pickwell is a small, hill-crest village 5 miles (8.0 km) south-east of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire which used to have an ecclesiastical parish of its own and is since the early 20th century has been in the civil parish and Church of England parish of Somerby which is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the SSW, connected by an almost straight lane. The population of the village at the 2011 census was included in the civil parish of Somerby.

A spring rises here as the source of a small stream which explains the well part of its name.

All Saints's tower was built in the 15th century with earlier features dating from the 13th century. Its distinctive features include a wide array of double lancet windows, a full complement of four gargoyles and a moulded parapet and gable roof with cross, and further cross finials to its east end. Altogether the church has gained grade I listed building status for its architecture.

Its south aisle with porch was rebuilt by R. W. Johnson in 1860.

Pickwell Manor is also grade II listed and is an entirely rebuilt structure of the late 17th century, with later additions. It is five bays wide, has a Collyweston slate roof and attics. Its windows are its particular architectural note with a squat Venetian window and a round headed plain sash in fine ashlar surrounds surmounted by a keystone head.

An earlier manor on this site or in much larger grounds belonged to various nobles in the medieval period, including, most notably

Under Edward the Confessor Pickwell and Leesthorpe manors and in all but their rectories were held by Ordmar, and in 1086 of the king by Geoffrey de Wirce. In 1129 Pickwell and Leesthorpe were held by Roger de Mowbray (Lord of Montbray) who had acquired all Geoffrey's land in Leicestershire. The Mowbray family continued to hold Pickwell and Leesthorpe as tenants-in-chief until the 15th century. After the death of John de Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk, in 1476, and of his daughter and heir Anne in 1481, the Mowbray estates were divided between the representatives of her two co-heirs, one of whom, William, Lord Berkeley, obtained the overlordship of Pickwell and Leesthorpe for considerable time for his family: last mentioned in connection with Pickwell and Leesthorpe in 1630. Under the Mowbrays the abbey of Vaudey held the manor at Leesthorpe in the old parish, and in the 12th century another holding, at Pickwell and Leesthorpe, was held by the Camville family.

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