Description: Kniveton is a pretty and quite ancient village which lies on the road between Ashbourne and Wirksworth. The village has the same name as the original lords of the manor, whose coat of arms may be seen in ancient stained glass in the 13th century church. The church is very well preserved and has been little altered - unlike many locally. St Michael's is a charming little church consisting only of a nave, chancel and a tower. The tower, built in the 13th century, is unbuttressed and contains small lancet windows, battlements and a short spire. The medieval glass in the chancel depicts the arms of the family Kniveton. It was Lady Kniveton who gave the alter its lovely flagon and chalice in 1572. Sir Andrew Kniveton became so impoverished through his loyalty to Charles the First that he had to sell most of the family estates. The church also contains a 13th century font. A huge sycamore tree stands by the gate and an ancient yew (seen here) guards the doorway, which still bares the grooves worn when the archers were sharpening their arrows.