Church Of St Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas is a parish church dating back to the medieval period. It underwent restoration in the mid-19th century, with the addition of a north aisle in 1853, and further restoration to the chancel in 1932. The church comprises a nave, chancel, north and south aisles, a west tower, and a south porch.

The exterior is largely random flint rubble, mainly rendered except for the tower, with stone dressings and slated roofs (nave) and plaintiled roofs (chancel). The west tower is particularly notable, constructed of knapped flint in the 15th century. It has four stages, diagonal buttresses, and a crenellated parapet, both embellished with flushwork. A stone frieze of lozenges and blank shields runs along the plinth. The west doorway features a moulded surround with carved spandrels and flanking canopied niches; a large four-light window illuminates the west façade. Square openings with a tracery grill are found on the third stage, accompanied by two-light bell chamber openings. The church has three-bay aisles. The late 14th to early 15th century south aisle retains its original windows, while the north aisle incorporates some reused windows from the 14th and 15th centuries. A late 15th-century porch, built of knapped flint with flushwork panels and a crenellated parapet, is situated on the south side. The chancel, dating from the 13th century, has been significantly restored, with two tall lancet windows and one Perpendicular window on both the north and south sides, and a five-light east window.

Inside, three-bay aisle arcades are present, the north arcade dating from 1853 and matching the south. The north aisle features half-piers against the north wall, with timber posts added to the south aisle to create a matching appearance; both sides exhibit east-west arched-bracing along the wall. The church has 19th-century roofs, and a wide chancel without a chancel arch. A trefoil-headed piscina is found in the south aisle and south sanctuary. A niche accommodates a banner stave locker at the west end of the south aisle. A 19th-century font is located in the nave, alongside a 15th-century carved octagonal font bowl that was discovered in the rectory garden; although damaged, remnants of original colouring remain. Other furnishings are also from the 19th century. A 17th-century wall monument commemorating members of the Skippon family is in the north chancel. Two brass effigies are present: one of Ele Bowet (circa 1400) set into the chancel floor, and another of Humphrye Brewster (1593), re-mounted on the north chancel wall. Several 17th and 18th-century ledger slabs belonging to the Brewster family are found in the sanctuary. Two Brewster hatchments are displayed south of the tower arch. Finally, the arms of William IV are painted on boards at the apex of the roof, near the entrance to the chancel.