Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church of very fine Perpendicular style, believed to be the work of Reginald Ely, the master mason of King's College Chapel, Cambridge. Construction likely occurred during the time of John Higham, who was vicar from 1439 to 1467, with an inscription above the chancel arch dating the completion of the nave roof to 1464. The early 12th-century tower was rebuilt, retaining the first two stages, with a 15th-century third stage and an octagon; the western end of the 14th-century south aisle survives, along with a 15th-century vestry or treasury. A spirlet above the lantern of the tower is dated 1799.

The church has undergone several 19th-century restorations, including work by Mr Edlin in 1862 and by George Street in 1877. The walls are of field stones, flint, and rubble with limestone dressings, incorporating some re-used Barnack stone; the interior is of clunch. The roofs are covered in lead, with plain tiles to the porches.

The church is distinguished by its fine proportions and richly carved ornament to the chancel and the roofs of the nave, chancel and aisles. Notable features include a wall painting of St Christopher, originally covered in 1649. There are three brass floor monuments and accompanying indents, including a palimpsest brass potentially belonging to John Laurence de Wardboys, Abbot of Ramsey from 1508 to 1539, who died in 1542. A painted clunch wall monument commemorates Thomas Gerard and his wife (1608), and a canopied tomb chest is dedicated to Lee Cotton (1613), depicting a figure in armour. The chancel stalls incorporate some re-used 15th-century tracery. Other furnishings include pews (1860), a restored 15th-century chancel screen restored in 1877 by Mr Allix of Swaffham Prior, mosaic panels in the reredos (1877), a pulpit (1885), and a reglazed rose window (1885). Further additions include oak screens across the tower and vestry arches (1887), a brass lecturn with an eagle book rest (1901), and memorial windows in the north and south aisles by Hugh Eaton (1905 and 1934). A coffin stand, possibly dating to the late 17th century, is also present. A medieval scratch-sundial, re-used in its current location, is noteworthy.