Hertfordshire spike

A Hertfordshire spike is a type of short spire or flèche found on church-towers surrounded by a parapet.

[1] It is defined in the Buildings of England as a "flèche or short spire rising from a church-tower, its base concealed by a parapet".

[2] As the name suggests, it is common in Hertfordshire, but the same type of structure can be found in other English counties.

That of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ashwell, is part of an unusually tall and ornate tower.

This article about the architecture of churches or other Christian places of worship is a stub.