Church Of St Mary And St Thomas

The Church of St Mary and St Thomas is a parish church with origins dating back to around 1150 in its chancel and nave. The west tower was constructed around 1420, and the north chancel chapel, known as the Lytton Chapel, was rebuilt in approximately 1705. The chancel underwent restoration in the mid to late 19th century.

The church is primarily built of flint and rubble with stone and brick dressings. The north chancel chapel is plastered brick with red brick buttresses. A steep plain tile roof covers the structure. The three-stage west tower features diagonal buttresses and battlements, along with a polygonal southeast staircase turret topped with a lead spike. It has a three-light west window and a pointed arch doorway within a square surround. Most windows in the nave date to the 15th century and have cusped lights. The north chancel chapel retains original wood mullioned and transomed windows with leaded panes. The chancel showcases a Norman Revival style with round arch lights. A gabled south porch was likely added around 1845.

Inside, a large 15th-century west arch incorporates attached single shafts. The nave roof is notable for its 15th-century hammerbeam trusses; these alternate with simpler braced collar trusses. Traceried panels sit above the hammerbeams, and crown posts extend from the collar braces. Original 15th-century oak box pews are present, decorated with miniature stepped buttresses. A 12th-century Norman chancel arch has scalloped capitals. The Lytton Chapel contains a remarkable collection of early 18th-century monuments to the Lytton family. These include memorials to Sir William Lytton (died 1705) and Sir George Strode (died 1707), both by Edward Stanton, featuring marble semi-reclining figures set against a reredos background. Another monument is dedicated to Lytton Lytton (died 1710), possibly by Thomas Green, depicting a standing figure within a shell-niche tabernacle frame. Additional features include brasses to Roland Lytton (died 1582) and his two wives, as well as a tablet to Anne Lytton (died 1601), and an epitaph to William Robinson Lytton Strode (died 1732) by John Annis, showing two kneeling figures facing a sarcophagus. In the chancel, an epitaph to Judith Strode (died 1662) is carved in a baroque style on black and white marble with a bust. A brass to Lord Simon Bache (died 1414) is fixed to the north wall, having originally been part of the chancel floor. An 18th-century altar table features paired Doric colonnettes, and the rear panelling displays a Greek key pattern. Iron gates to the Lytton Chapel are by Lutyens, replacing the original wrought iron gates which were moved to the west arch. An 18th-century pulpit incorporates 16th/early 17th-century Flemish panels at the top. A limestone octagonal font at the west end dates to around 1480. A three-light window on the south nave wall is the work of Clayton and Bell.