Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a church with origins in the 13th century, significantly altered in the late 15th century, 17th century, and with a 19th-century refurbishment. The lower part of the nave is constructed of random coursed stone rubble, while the chancel, tower, and upper part of the nave are of stone ashlar. The nave and chancel have old plain-tile roofs, and the tower roof is not visible. The church comprises a 3-bay nave, a 3-bay chancel, and a west tower.

A two-centred arched doorway, featuring a hood mould and a 19th-century door, is centrally located in the nave. To the right of the doorway is a two-light stone mullion window. The clerestory features three, three-light stone mullion windows with cusped lights. A Tudor-arched doorway, with a 19th-century plank door, is located to the left of the chancel’s centre, accompanied by a three-light stone mullion window to the left and right sides. The chancel's east end has a five-light window with rectilinear tracery. The north side of the nave has a two-centred arched doorway with a hood mould and ribbed door, a Y-tracery window to the left, and a two-light stone mullion window with cusped lights to the right. The clerestory again features three, three-light stone mullion windows with cusped lights.

The west side of the tower has a four-centred arched doorway with plain spandrels and a hood mould, above which is a three-light window with rectilinear tracery and a hood mould. Two-light, rectilinear tracery, louvred openings are positioned on each side of the top stage of the tower. A string course at the base of the tower parapet features carved water spouts, and the parapet is battlemented.

The chancel's interior boasts a three-bay, barrel-vaulted roof with moulded wood ribs. An altar tomb, dedicated to Sir Edward Ferrers (1465-1535) and his wife Constance, is set within a Tudor-arched recess. The tomb consists of three panels with intricate tracery and armorial bearings. C19 choir stalls are also present. A two-centred chancel arch is accompanied by a chancel screen, dated 1634, characterized by a wood-panelled base and strapwork slats above. The nave is crowned by a three-bay Perpendicular roof and includes C19 fittings such as a pulpit, font, and pews. A two-centred arch resting on octagonal half-columns leads to the tower. The east window’s origins lie in the 16th century but has undergone significant mid-18th century restoration.

The church’s historical connections include Nicholas Brome, who undertook the late 15th-century work as penance for the murder of a priest. The church houses a Sarah Green single manual chamber organ.