Notable Buildings
The church of St John the Baptist is principally in the Early English style consisting of a chancel, nave, north aisle, south proch, and an embattled and pinnacled western tower. Over the North doorway is a representation of the Nativity. The font, of octagonal quatrefoil panel design supported on a mutilated stem, is of late Decorated period. Here, it is believed that, Shakespeare's parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, were married in 1557. The survey of the clergy by the puritans in 1586 described the then vicar, Thomas Clarke, parson no precher nor learned, yet honest of life & zealous in religion he hath 3 or 4 charges & cures beside that of Kynerton, he supplieth by his deputies, his hirelinges that serue by his non-residentship are all dumbe & idle & some of them gamsters : vah of all Ixxx a yeare.
The most celebrated incumbent of Aston Cantlow was Thomas Cantelupe, mentioned above, who held the living before his elevation to the See of Hereford.
It became well-known nationally after Aston Cantlow Parochial church council made a controversial decision to demand £250,000 in chancel repair liability, plus £200,000 in costs, from the owners of a farmhouse next door in order to pay for repairs to the church.
The village contains a number of black and white half timbered buildings including the 16th century Guild Hall and the 15th century village pub, The Kings Head. The Gildhouse is traditionally believed to have been the hall of the gild that was in existence here in the time of Henry VI. It is first so called in a lease of 1713 (on surrender of one dated 1661) and as late as 1770 the upper chamber was reserved for manor courts. The building preserves externally much of its original appearance.
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