Church Of St Andrew

The Church of St Andrew is a large church dating from the 13th to 15th centuries, with a substantial restoration carried out in 1870 by Sir George Gilbert Scott and J. Goddard. It is constructed of ashlar and coursed squared stone, with parapetted, battlemented roofs covered in Collyweston slate. The church comprises a west tower, nave, aisles, transepts, chancel, and a south porch.

The fine west tower is of three stages, featuring angle buttresses, the upper parts of which are moulded. A giant arch, composed of three orders and shafts, takes the place of a door, with three ogee-headed niches above. Tall, elaborate bell openings are double-lighted, with matching blank openings on either side, supported by shafts. A staircase is located on the southwest corner. The tower is further embellished with gargoyles, a head frieze, a parapet with arched openings, and pinnacles topped with octagonal spirelets.

The nave has five bays of arcades dating to the 13th century, with many moulded arches bearing head-moulds and head-stops on circular and quatrefoil piers. A Perpendicular-style clerestory features six large windows on each side, with a fleuron frieze and battlements externally. The roof is low-pitched, with tie beams, bosses, wall pieces, and braces, supported by twelve wooden seated figures positioned beneath nodding-ogee canopies. This roof was restored in 1728. The aisles are characterised by plinths, angle buttresses, a head and fleuron frieze, and battlements, as well as a restored lean-to roof. Central doors on the north and south sides are flanked by two Perpendicular-style windows, with matching windows on the west side.

The 14th-century transepts have double-chamfered arches leading to the aisle and chancel on the north side, and hollow-moulded arches on the south side. The north window has curvilinear tracery, while the south window is incomplete but features Perpendicular tracery. The chancel windows date from 1865. The east window has Perpendicular tracery with stained glass by Kempe, dated 1892, while the north and south windows have curvilinear tracery. The chancel roof is low-pitched with tie beams, wall pieces, and braces resting on head corbels. Below the roof is a painted wooden high relief coat of arms and an inscription recording that Lady Abigail Sherard “new roofed chancel, 1640”.

A Perpendicular-style south porch features a hollow-chamfered arch and wrought-iron gates, likely from the 19th century, and a 13th-century south door arch. A screen between the south aisle and the south transept originates from the former chapel of St John's College, Cambridge, and was brought to the church during the 1870 restoration. It features ribbed coving and 16th-century doors. The octagonal Perpendicular-style font has quatrefoils, a later base, and a 19th-century carved oak cover. Two 12th/13th-century stone coffin lids are situated in the south aisle. The church contains 18th-century wall monuments and two painted hatchments. A 19th-century brass lectern and a carved stone pulpit from 1888 are also present. A carved, painted, and gilded reredos, along with carved oak chancel panelling and pews, were added in the early 20th century.