This is one of our favourite churches. It is so light inside and packed with interesting history and details. There is a lot of information available inside the church including a very detailed booklet. I have picked out just a few interesting details.
It is believed to be a 13th century replacement of an old saxon church. It's round tower is the earliest part and it has had lots of expansions and renovations.
It is well lit due to the beautiful square windows of the clerestory built during the 14th and 15th C. expansion and the beautiful arches inside.
There are remains of Elizabethan wall paintings on the north aisle wall, discovered during renovations during 1901, very faint and fragile.
There is a large tomb for Robert Horace Walpole who died in 1931. The present day Walpole family descend from Horatio Walpole who was the brother of Sir Robert Walpole who was the first Prime Minister. They still own nearby Mannington and Wolterton Halls.
The rood screen carpentry from the 16th century has been restored.
There are mediaeval bench ends with carved figures and poppy heads. A hawk is on the west end of the north aisle and the eastern most pew bears the Saracen's Head which is the Walpole family crest.
The stained glass is typical of the victorian and edwardian eras.
The sanctuary has a monument for William Dix and his 2nd wife Dionise. Effigies of William and his first and second wife kneel at prayer desks on the tomb. Sadly their heads were removed by thieves in 1999.
There is much more to explore and discover. The church is open during daylight hours.
There is a seat to relax on and enjoy the quietness and the views and the church grounds are also very interesting.
Parking is available in front of the church.
The cache is not in the church grounds. You will need to walk up the road just a short distance.
Please BYOP and tweezers may helpful.
“If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first at churchmicro@gmail.com so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”