As early as 1220, Hugglescote and Donington le Heath both had small chapelries which were under the jurisdiction of Ibstock. By the 18th Century the buildings were practically in ruins. The Church of St James, Hugglescote was erected in 1776 on the site of the old chapel in Denis Street. This was used for a century, by which time it was far too small for the growing population and was replaced by the present church.
The Parish Church of St John remains a prominent feature on the skyline. It was built by public subscription in 1878 and completed a decade later with the addition of the tower and chancel. There is an Elizabethan chalice and Parish chest from an earlier church together with parish registers dating from 1564.
Its old folklore how they named Hugglescote. Years and years ago there were brown bears in England. And one day a man named Huggle living there was being chased by one of these bears. He was fleeing for his life, and so he could go faster, he took off his coat and the bear hugged that instead of him!
That's how the village was given the name - HUGGLES COAT! A statue of the Bear now stands in the Village.