Church Of St Andrew

The Church of St Andrew is a parish church largely dating from the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, with significant restoration work undertaken between 1899 and 1905, and the addition of a north aisle in 1901. The church is constructed of flint with ashlar dressings. The chancel dates to the 13th century and includes a new east window constructed between 1282 and 1283 under the direction of Master Nicholas. A 14th-century west tower and a 15th-century nave are also present. The nave roof is covered in lead, while the chancel retains a thatched roof.

The three-stage west tower is unbuttressed and features a three-light Perpendicular window. String courses are located below the ringing chamber and the belfry, with the former featuring cinquefoiled lancet windows within square hoods on labels. The belfry has renewed, louvred, flowing windows of two lights. A crenellated parapet tops the tower. The south porch is a two-story structure supported by diagonal, stepped buttresses and features a wave-moulded entrance arch. Two-light cusped side windows are set within square hoods on labels, and single cusped lights with square hoods on labels are located on the west, south, and east sides of the parvise storey. A stair turret is situated in the north-west angle, with a crenellated parapet concealing the roof line. The porch contains a single bay, quadripartite rib vault with transverse and ridge ribs. A double-moulded inner south doorway provides access, alongside a holy water stoup. The south nave side has two three-light renewed Perpendicular windows and two side buttresses, with one bay being blank. The north aisle mirrors the south with three matching windows and a north door. A crenellated narthex has been built against the south chancel wall, and a gabled vestry, now housing the organ, adjoins the north wall. The east window of 1282-83 has been accurately restored and features shafts, rolls to the jambs and mullions, and side lights that are trefoiled, with a taller, cinquefoiled central light. Above the side lights are two quatrefoils tipping inwards, which carry a diagonal quatrefoil in the tracery head, representing an advanced design for its date. A statuary niche and an inscription, recording the chancel’s construction by William de Kirbly, Prior of Norwich Cathedral between 1272 and 1288, are located above a dado to the window’s right.

Inside, the tall tower arch is double-chamfered. A four-bay north arcade of 1901, with double-chamfered arches, leads to the nave. The nave roof has moulded principals on arched braces that drop to wall posts on corbels. Moulded purlins and a ridge piece are also incorporated. A 15th-century font is octagonal and decorated with crouching lions, eagles, and sitting figures. Winged angels are positioned under the bowl, and the bowl panels contain four lions and angels bearing shields, displaying emblems of the Trinity and Instruments of Passion. A brass memorial to Elizabeth Dalyson, dated 1585, is located in the nave. The chancel has a 19th-century boarded roof. A 19th-century arch leads into the narthex. The piscina of 1282-83 is trefoiled, featuring pierced spandrels and roll mouldings. The mullions of the east window are enriched with filleted rolls, while the jambs have rolls only. Around the pulpit are three Baroque, life-sized wooden figures of David playing a harp and two angels blowing trumpets, likely of German origin.