Church Of St Peter

The Church of St Peter is a parish church largely of medieval origin, with a major restoration undertaken in 1868. It comprises a nave, chancel, west tower, south porch, and north vestry. The church is constructed of flint rubble, with the nave and chancel rendered and the east end of the chancel rebuilt in brick. The tower is of knapped flint with a stone admixture, and the dressings are stone. The roofs are slate, with crest tiles.

The tower is a prominent feature, dating to the 15th century. It is square, with four-stage diagonal buttresses to the west face, and a crenellated parapet surmounted by the remains of seated figures on the corner pinnacles. Both the parapet and buttresses feature flushwork decoration. A two-light west window is present, above which is a cusped ogee statue niche, now empty. There are also two-light bell-chamber openings.

The nave and chancel likely have 13th-century cores, with significant alterations in later periods. In the west end of the nave are two broad lancet windows, one to the north and one to the south, and two further similar lancets at the northeast of the nave. Other nave windows are of Perpendicular style, all with three lights, two to the south being square-headed. A restored 15th-century porch provides access via a good 15th-century nave door with four cusped panels and simple tracery.

The chancel is two bays wide, with two-light Y-tracery windows to the south; the easternmost window is partly original and shafted internally. A wall tablet commemorates Mary Repps (died 1727) between the windows, alongside a Priest’s doorway. Two broad lancet windows are present to the north, and a renewed three-light east window features 13th-century shafting internally.

The interior features a 19th-century arched-braced nave roof, while the chancel roof is plastered. There is no chancel arch. A piscina with a Caernarvon arch and credence shelf is located in the south sanctuary, alongside a drop-sill sedilia with three tiered seats. Contemporary furnishings include a font and a wooden rood screen. Wall monuments are present in the chancel, commemorating Mary Leman (died 1807), Robert Leman (died 1788) and Mary his wife, and N.T.O. Leman (died 1857), a former rector. Several 17th–18th century ledger slabs are dedicated to members of the Leman family. The arms of George III, dated 1797, are displayed above the tower arch, accompanied by framed copies of the Commandments. The church is Grade I listed for its medieval fabric, particularly the tower.