Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a former parish church, now privately owned by Sir John Gooch. It dates back to the medieval period and was severely damaged by fire in the 18th century. Extensive restoration and rebuilding work was undertaken in 1769 by Sir Thomas Gooch, with further restoration occurring between 1888 and 1890. The church consists of a nave and chancel (integrated into a single range), a south aisle, and a west tower, along with a south porch.

The structure is primarily flint rubble, with the south aisle and east end of the chancel likely dating back to 1769. The upper sections of the nave, chancel, and aisle walls were rebuilt in 1769, using red brick on the north side and pale yellow brick on the south side. Stone dressings are present throughout. The roof is pantiled, with glazed black tiles covering the aisle.

The west tower is likely from the 14th century and may have been reduced in height in the late 18th century. It is square, with two stages, the upper stage slightly recessed, and features a crenellated parapet with three flushwork panels on each face. A restored 15th-century two-light window is located to the west, complemented by five-stage diagonal buttresses. The bell chamber has single-light openings, except for the south side, which has two lights with cusped Y-tracery. The lower walls of the nave and chancel likely date to the 13th century.

The north face of the nave boasts four two-light windows of 1769, constructed in the Perpendicular style, alongside a blocked 15th-century doorway. The doorway is surrounded by a hoodmould and incorporates stone shields in the spandrels. The chancel features a two-bay design with Y-traceried wooden windows from 1769, along with a renewed three-light east window with internally shafted openings. The south chancel wall retains remnants of two original lancet window openings.

The three-bay south aisle was originally constructed in the 14th century but was substantially rebuilt in 1769, retaining a 14th-century moulded doorway and an original blocked window opening to the west. The red brick porch is likely from 1769.

The interior showcases a 14th-century six-bay aisle arcade. A font bowl made of Purbeck marble, dating to the 13th century, is octagonal with two shallow-recessed arches on each face. Notable furnishings include a good set of 18th-century box pews, 19th-century choir stalls and an organ at the west end of the nave, and a late 19th-century squire's pew at the east end of the nave. A traceried wooden chancel arch, possibly from 1769, is also present. Numerous wall monuments and ledger slabs are distributed throughout, primarily commemorating the North and Gooch families. Significant wall monuments include those dedicated to Sir Thomas Gooch (1781), Dame Anne (1767), Sir Thomas Gooch (1826), Francisca North (1663), Sir Edward North (1708), Louisa Anna Maria Gooch (1838), North Carthew (1716), Sir Alfred Sherlock Gooch (1809), and Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch (1851). Eight good hatchments are displayed at the west end of the nave.