Church Of St Martin Of Tours

The Church of St Martin of Tours is a medieval church that underwent significant alterations in 1870 and 1908. It consists of a nave, chancel, and west tower. The south chapel was added in 1870, while the north aisle, which includes an organ chamber and vestry, along with an open timber-framed south porch, were added in 1908, all designed in the perpendicular style. The walls are rendered, with the medieval sections likely made of flint and other rubble, and feature freestone quoins. The roofs are covered with plain tiles.

In the north wall of the chancel, there is a lancet window from the early 13th century. The south wall contains a two-light Y-traceried window from the early 14th century, along with another single-light window. The adjacent priest's doorway, renewed in 1908, may replicate a 13th-century original. The nave was rebuilt on a new alignment, possibly in the 14th century. The two restored south windows, which have corbel heads, and the south doorway with its original battened plank door date from the early 15th century, while the reset jambs of the north doorway are likely from the 14th century. A piscina for a side altar, dating from the 14th or early 15th century, can be found in the south nave wall.

The 15th-century tower features a three-light west window supported by mask-corbels, and above it is a canopy for an image niche that is now blocked. In the late 18th or early 19th century, the belfry stage was removed and a gault brick parapet was added. The main roofs were renewed in 1908, and the nave's trusses include collar-beams and kingposts.

Inside, there is a fine 15th-century octagonal limestone font, with carved lions at the corners and wild men between, while the bowl is decorated with angels and evangelists. A small panel of medieval stained glass is located in a south chancel window. The north aisle contains a large marble wall tablet dedicated to Edward Vernon (died 1757) and other family members, as well as a tablet to Philip Broke (died 1762) on the nave wall. A floor brass commemorates Richard Fastolph of Broke Hall, dating to 1479, and there is an 18th-century ledger slab in the chancel floor. Stained glass by Clayton and Bell, and in the east window by Kempe, adds to the church's interior features.