Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a large cruciform church built from flint with stone dressings. The tall west tower, designed by G. E. Prichett in 1858, features set back buttresses, a castellated parapet, and octagonal castellated corner turrets. The nave, chancel, and south porch also have castellated parapets. The walls of the chancel and the north and south transepts were constructed between 1220 and 1240. The south aisle was added in the early 14th century, and the north aisle was completed in 1390. The west tower, rebuilt in 1858, originally dated from the late 15th century. The two-storey south porch was built in the 15th century. In the 16th century, clerestoreys were added to both the nave and chancel. The church underwent restoration in the 19th century, with further work on the chancel in 1911. The continuous development of the church from the 13th to the 19th century is reflected in its architectural features, making it particularly interesting.

Inside, the church contains several notable fittings, including a finely carved altar chest from the 13th century, which has oil paintings on the underside of the lid, believed to be the earliest known oil paintings on wood in English art. The font, dating to the early 13th century, features gabled trefoil arches, while its cover is from the 15th century. There is also a 15th-century screen and an oak swivel top lectern with an octagonal stem, decorated with tracery panels. The north transept window contains some 14th-century glass, and there are brasses from the 16th and 17th centuries. The church is located near the center of the predominantly linear village and serves as a focal point within an important group of buildings. It is recognized for its architectural, historical, and topographical significance.