Church Of St Swithin

ASHMANHAUGH CHURCH ROAD TG 32 SW 2/6 Church of St. Swithin 16.4.55 - II*

Parish church. C12 origins. C12 west tower rebuilt 1849, C15 nave and chancel, restorations 1840-42, 1849, 1867 and 1921. Flint with ashlar dressings. Chancel roof of black glazed pantiles, remainder slate. Circular tower undifferentiated into storeys. Pointed western lancet. Louvred lancets north and south at belfry stage below crenellated parapet. 3 stepped side buttresses to nave. Gabled south porch-entered through double chamfered arch on circular responds. Statuary niche blocked. Latin cross on pedestal at apex of gable. Cinquefoiled side lights within square surround. Wave moulded inner south door. 2 2-light C19 Y tracery south nave windows. One 2-light reticulated south chancel window. Diagonal eastern buttresses. 2-light reticulated east window. No north chancel windows. One 2-light C19 cusped north nave window under square hood to east of blocked north door. Interior. Chamfered tower doorway. Round arched north and south C12 doorways, that to north blocked with a pointed arch, this in turn also blocked. Double chamfered chancel arch on heavy polygonal responds with polygonal capitals. Basket arched C15 rood stair doorway leads via stairs to basket arched rood loft doorway above. C19 braced nave roof. 8 C15 poppyhead bench ends on C19 benches in nave, 2 with animal arm rests. On back of nave bench a carved panel dated 1531 (Roman numerals) in 2 tiers. Upper tier with relief carved foot-hand-heart-hand-foot (i.e. wounds of Christ). Lower tier with initials and date. Table tomb in chancel to Honor Bacon 1591. Ashlar with slate top. North side decorated with 3 shields and inscriptions. Against east wall of chancel and standing on tomb a pedimented ashlar plaque bearing a shield with 3 boars.

Listing NGR: TG3144921161